Red Wasp Revenge

I have an old freezer that doesn’t work so I use it to store all my outdoor cooking tools and stuff.  A few days ago I opened the lid on the box and discovered I had a red wasp nest on the back of the freezer.  Most of the wasp either flew off or just stayed on the nest, except one.  It decided that attacking me was a really good idea.

I tried swatting the blame thing, but it kept on attacking.  If you’ve never been attacked by a wasp, they go for your head.  Try as I may, it got me on my right eye brow.  I took an antihistamine, but it didn’t stop the swelling or pain for a few hours.

Today I was spraying outside for bugs with my trusty pump up sprayer.  It holds two gallons of mix.  When I got near the old freezer again, I approached with caution.  There was one lone red wasp buzzing around.  I hit it with my sprayer.  Used a whole gallon.

Don’t know if the chemical killed it or it drowned.

Revenge is sweet.

PMO
©2015

Goal To Go

If you don’t know that it’s football season again, your TV is broken.  For the next six months, at least, there will be football on all channels all the time.  At least it seems that way.  This upcoming weekend there is one network that will air over eight hours of football or related commentary programs.

Truth is, I don’t like to watch football.  There, I said it.  But, I do like steak and potatoes and I don’t want a constant diet of them.  It is difficult for me to understand why anyone would sit and watch a game for hours and hours and want for more.  I also don’t watch baseball, basketball or tennis.

Oh, I appreciate the athletes and all the work they put into the games.  Since the days of the gladiators or feeding the Christians to the lions have gone away, I recognize that we must have something to satisfy the blood thirst of humans.  But, come on people, take a break and go fishing or something.

I’ve heard that feeding Christians to the lions may make a come back.

PMO
©2015

Trump Your Taxes

It didn’t take long for “the Donald” to become a politician.  Hey, he wants to win.  So he has come up with a plan for lower taxes - like a chicken in every pot and a pot in every kitchen.  When anyone running for office says they are going to lower taxes, you need to put everything you have into gold, bury it in the back yard and stand guard 24/7.

Trump’s plan sounds great, but wait.  If only the richest rich pay most of the taxes, nothing has changed.  That’s what they do now.  And, if the poor pay nothing, that’s what they do now.  If the middle class thinks they will get a lower tax rate, I have some ocean front property in Arizona I would like to sell.

I can’t begin to tell how many times my taxes went down, but I paid more.  Especially on property taxes.  The rate goes down but the evaluation goes up.

I don’t understand why the masses don’t understand.

“There is no such thing as a free lunch.”

PMO
©2015

Job

If you have ever read the Scriptures, you may have read about Job.  Job was a very patient man.  It is often said, “He/she has the patience of Job,” meaning that the person has a ‘bunch’ of patience.  Well, all I can say is that Job never met my mother-in-law.  Bless her heart.  It’s okay in the South to talk about someone if you say, “Bless her/his heart.”

Yes mother-in-law is old, but she hasn’t changed since I’ve known her.  She is never wrong, an expert in almost everything and very demanding.  My financial controller now has her over to ‘help’ out on certain projects.  I stay out of whatever they do.  I get as far back into the office as I can and try not to laugh aloud.  I can hear them talking in every room of the house.

As a point of how dear old MIL is, she even complains about the toilets.  The one in the front bath is too low.  However, both toilets were bought and installed the same day - at the same height.

The next time she complains, I’m going to take her down to the gas station and let her use their restroom.

Bless her heart.

PMO
©2015

Surprise

Our youngest granddaughter has been driving a junky old SUV for awhile.  So, I made a deal with a local car dealer to get her a new one.  Granddaughter was told she needed to bring her car to the dealership for repairs.  When she arrived, a salesman took the car and told her he would take it to the back shop.  In about two minutes he came back and told her, her car was ready.  He directed her to the new SUV.  She was surprised.

This was a gift to granddaughter with the following conditions:

CONGRATULATIONS ON GRADUATION
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
MERRY CHRISTMAS
HAPPY NEW YEAR
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
HAPPY VALENTINES
HAPPY LABOR DAY
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
HAPPY VETERANS DAY
HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
HAPPY HANUKKAH
HAPPY ROSH HASHANAH
HAPPY YOM KIPPUS
HAPPY EASTER
HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY
HAPPY GROUND HOG DAY
HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
HAPPY ASH WEDNESDAY
HAPPY NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY
HAPPY TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY
HAPPY DAY LIGHT SAVING TIME DAY
HAPPY PASSOVER
HAPPY TAX DAY
HAPPY NATIONAL LIBRARY WORKERS’ DAY
HAPPY SAN JACINTO DAY
HAPPY ARBOR DAY
HAPPY NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
HAPPY PENTECOST
HAPPY SENIOR CITIZENS DAY
FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS !!!!!!!

I know she will find a day not covered and expect another surprise.

PMO
©2015

Better Not To See

Otto von Bismarch said, “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.”  I want to add to that.  It's also better not to see me make a car deal.  In fact no one will go with me to get a new car.  My financial controller used to go, but she is squeamish about all the blood and guts that it takes to make a decent car deal.

I had to go and trade my number two granddaughter’s car this week.  My daughter, son-in-law or granddaughter did not go with me.  My financial controller hid under the bed and wouldn’t come out.

The end result was that I got the deal done for 75¢ less than my original offer.  This was after the salesman wanted me to pay about $2000 more than my offer.

I don’t see why more people don’t take my simple approach to trading cars.  All it takes is a killer instinct and really bad breath.

Eat onions and garlic and get in their face when you talk.

PMO
©2015

Don't Whistle

There is an old song sung by the seven dwarfs in a Disney movie, called “Whistle While You Work.”  I hate that song, but didn’t realize it until a few days ago.  We have some workers at our lean-to and at least two of them whistle while they work.

At first they wanted to play a radio at maximum volume.  I explained to them that because I work in my home office, that just was not acceptable.  So, they turned down the radio and started whistling.  Neither of them can carry a tune.  Maybe they are just not trying to.

Trust me, do not whistle while you work.  Even if you can carry a tune.  It is annoying to other people.

Especially if you are trying to write important stuff.

Like this blog.

PMO
©2015

Yogi

We found out this week that Yogi Berra has died at the age of 90.  Lawrence “Yogi” Berra was a three time MVP catcher and important part of 10 world champion Yankees teams in the 40s, 50s and 60s.  Hey, I had a bubble gum Yogi Berra baseball card.

Berra who died of natural causes, was an 18 time All Star, a member of a record 14 AL pennant winners and a 1972 inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame, the same year his uniform number 8 was retired by the Yankees.

The younger generation may not know Yogi like I did as a kid.  If you wanted to be a catcher, you wanted to be like Yogi.  But, almost everyone knows Yogi for the things he said.  Like, “You can observe a lot by just watching.”

Remember on your new journey, “If you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

RIP Yogi.

PMO
©2015

So God Made A Farmer

One of my favorite radio commentators was Paul Harvey.  I still occasionally view some of his “Rest of the Story” stories on the internet.  In 1978 Mr. Harvey spoke to the Future Farmers of America convention and delivered a speech which became known as “So God Made A Farmer.” 

The speech was used in a commercial by Dodge Ram during Super Bowl XLVII.  In collaboration with the FFA, Dodge agreed to donate $100,000 for every 1 million views that the YouTube video of the ad received up to $1 million.  The goal was reached in less than five days.

Needless to say, the speech is one of my favorites.  If you’ve never heard it, look it up and listen.

This week, my youngest granddaughter came over to see me.  She and my ace number one daughter had to wait until I got out of the shower.  My financial controller entertained them while they waited.  They had been to a charity auction where they bought a beautifully framed collection of farm pictures with the speech set in the middle.  I will treasure it for ever.

When you get older, you need someone to think about you and love you, even when you’re grumpy.

So God made a granddaughter.

PMO
©2015

Forked Tongue

Paleface speak with forked tongue.  It seems Native Tribes are pushing back against the ACA, ‘Obamacare.’  There is a exemption to allow Native Americans not to comply with having to have medical coverage, but there is a loop hole for businesses.

Congress did not exempt tribal businesses.  And, the tribes are about ready to go on the war path.  It would cost millions to comply and create undue hardship on businesses.

In case you haven’t noticed in the past 200 years or so, Native Americans, Indians, have been getting the worst of the worst deals in this country.  They live in poverty, real poverty.  If you’ve never visited a reservation, take a trip.  If there is a people that are mistreated, it is the American Indian.

There are a lot of things that upset me but I really get upset about how Native Americans are treated.

Perhaps it’s because I am part Cherokee.

And proud of it.

PMO
©2015

To Hope

There is an old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”  Yet, there are billion dollar businesses selling too good to be true stuff.  Weight loss, grow hair, cure erectile dysfunction, look younger, cure cancer and a host of other diseases are just a few of the products and services that will take your money for being hopeful that ‘this time it will work.’

Humans by nature are hopeful.  They insist on thinking that they have found the right product for whatever their wants are.  I know people that will get upset if you challenge them about buying a product that promises wonderful results.  Con artist know this and rake in literally billions every year.  This has been going on since there were more than two people on this planet.

My comments mean nothing to those that want to believe.  So, I want you to know that I am offering a 100% guaranteed solar powered clothes dryer for just $100.  That’s right, you will never have to pay high electric or natural gas prices to dry your clothes again.  My product last for years and will handle large loads of laundry or just a few items.  All without high utility bills.  You can install it yourself in minutes. Order yours today.  But wait!  If you order today, you’ll receive a second unit for free that you can share with family or friends.  Just pay extra shipping and handling fees.

It’s 50 feet of rope and a bunch of clothes pins.

Don’t forget!  If you order today, you get a second one free!

PMO
©2015

Golden Years

There is a misconception about the ‘golden years.’  People think that these are the years that one gets to relax, take trips, reminisce and visit with old friends and family.  They think it is a time to finally be free.  Free from all the labors of life, raising children, working long hours, worrying about this and that and so forth.  Surprise, surprise.  You are wrong.

Because I volunteer for three groups of ‘old people,’ I get to see the ‘golden years’ up front and personal.  Old people, for the most part, are a bunch of people with aches, pains, illnesses, and chronic complaints.  There are some people that I have learned to avoid entirely.  All they want to talk about is their latest malady.   Just this week I talked to a man whom I will call Larry and all he wanted to talk about was his latest doctor visits and the miracle cures he orders on the internet.

After what seemed like hours, I finally told him, that getting old is tough and everyone has problems.  It was then that he said, “I thought these were supposed to be the golden years.”  That’s when I had to give him the truth.

The ‘golden years’ are when you give all your gold to doctors and on line miracle cures.

PMO
©2015

Sociable Security

One of my volunteer jobs is to secure speakers for meetings of two retiree clubs.  At one of the meetings this week, I had a speaker from Social Security.  He was a great speaker and brought some interesting information.

Most people think they pay into Social Security and their money is put into a trust fund for them.  Not so.  The money paid today by workers is used to pay for the current recipients.  The idea is that when said workers retire, someone will be there to pay for their benefits.  But, there is a problem.

When Social Security began, it was never intended to be a retirement plan.  It was intended to be a supplement to retirement.  In those days, five workers supported one recipient.  Now there are two trying to support one.  If it gets to one to one, that worker is going to be a busy beaver.

Our speaker pointed out that the Social Disability Fund will not be able to support the payments in 2016 and by 2032, the general fund will fail.  He pointed out that in the county where I live, the monthly payed out amount is $50,000,000.  This county only has about 216,000 people.  I don’t think I’m getting my fair share.

Solutions to the problems range from benefit cuts to higher taxes.

If they go with benefit cuts, I’m going to personally look for another worker to support me.

PMO
©2015

Who Won?

All the talk by the talking heads is about who won the latest Republican debate.  Well, I think I won.

I didn’t watch.

PMO
©2015

Dream Team

I have come up with the surefire winning ticket for the election of our prez and vice-prez.  Donald and Hillary.  Before you laugh, think about this.  This team would be appealing to almost everyone.  The radical right and the loony left.

I would vote for them, because I have a real mean streak.

Neither one would ever dare to doze off.

PMO
©2015

Why Volunteer

Those that know me know that I manage two retiree groups.  These are people that retired from the company where I worked about 30 years.

The job is a lot of hard work and can be very frustrating.  I am often asked why I continue to do the job.  It’s a volunteer job and nobody says I have to do it.  My usual response is, “Somebody has to do it, and someone else might not do it the way I think it ought to be done.” 

Then there are those occasional ‘thank you’s’ that make everything seem a little better.  But, at a meeting today, a woman named Julia came over to me to say thank you.  It was her first meeting to attend.  She explained that she had just found out about the meetings and since her husband died, she felt totally alone when it came to understanding the benefits provided to retirees.  Julia said, “I have no one to turn to with my questions.”  Then she said, “Now I have a place to get the information I need.”

Earlier this year a retiree contacted me because he had a problem with getting a prescription that he had to have to stay alive.  There was a mix-up in the system and no one had been able to get the problem solved.  Because I’ve been doing this for a long time, I have a lot of contacts at the company.  It took a couple of days to find the problem and get a temporary fix so the man could get his prescription refilled.  The problem was later solved and he is back on the service he needs.

Why volunteer?  Well, it only takes a couple of these events to realize that we are all put here to serve others.  Please!  I ain’t no saint.  I just get more out of helping than those that are helped.

I still think this job is still like herding cats.

PMO
©2015

Lost Soul

There was an ad in the Dallas Morning News this weekend by an organization seeking volunteers and donations to help children forced into sex trade.  The data provided was quoted as coming from a commissioned report by the Department of Justice.

The published data pointed out that 87% of trafficked teens have been abandoned by their father, aound age four.  93% have been physically or sexually abused by their mother’s boyfriend.  Most run away from home only to fall prey to predators that force them into sex trade.  This occurs around age 13.

If you want to take the time to do research on this subject, you will find a report submitted to Congress by the DOJ.  There are statistics that will shock you, like an over 2000% increase in child porn in four years. 

In the report, the writer says, “We are a nation that has lost it’s soul.”

When you lose your soul, there is nothing left.

PMO
©2015

Baby Instructions

Yesterday I wrote about the couple that has a new baby.  I still think they should have named him Bubba.  Anyway, it has been over 40 years since we had a new baby.  So, I am wondering if now one can download an instruction manual.  Babies really need to come with instructions.  If not, then surely there is a video you can watch.

With the parents being at their ages, they are going to need all the help they can get.

And, when the baby gets to high school, he is going to need instructions on caring for old parents.

PMO
©2015

It's A Boy

My financial controller has some friends in the Dallas area that just had a new baby.  The mother is from Nepal and is over 40.  The father is from Texas and is over 60.  This is their first baby.  Boy, they have a trip ahead of them.

Proud mama, papa and baby are reportedly doing well.  It’s a boy and they have labored over what to name him for months.  They finally selected something from both cultures.  Greyson Raj.  I suggested some names like, Bubba Bob, or even Bubba Raj.  No one seems to appreciate my help.

I’m guessing the name really doesn’t matter, because these days, you can’t be sure if it’s a boy or girl until they get old enough to tell you.

I wonder if you can still tell the sex of a puppy by looking at the bottoms of their feet.

PMO
©2015

Shot In The Foot

I’ve discovered the one talent that all Republicans seem to have in common.  They love to put down and fight each other.  Trump recently put down Fiorina about her looks.  He said he did it as an entertainer.  Trump fancies himself an entertainer, or at least he says he does.  Jindal, Bush and I suppose all the others attack Trump and he fires back with something stronger.  Carson was described as an ok doctor by Trump, but then he changed that comment to, “I’m sure he is a very good doctor.”

Someone told me a long time ago that one cannot build one’s self up by running down someone else.  Sooner or later, people start to realize that is not a positive.  Perhaps Mr. Trump doesn’t realize that he is shooting himself in the foot.  If he wants to be an entertainer, he should get another TV show.

As for the rest of the herd of Republican candidates, you might want to develop and reveal real plans to get this country back on track.  If there is anything left by election time.

If Republicans continue to backbite and in fight they all are shooting themselves in the foot.

Democrats are counting on it.

PMO
©2015

No One Is

I spent over an hour talking to a friend of mine today.  She is one of those people that makes it difficult to be a friend to.  But, I’ve known her over 50 years.  She likes to call and complain about her siblings, which are also my friends.  This little game has been going on for years.  I just listen and only offer advice or comment when I am forced to.

In the past few months, she has started to reveal things that I have never known about her family.  Things, I really don’t need to know.  When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time at their house and I thought everything was just fine.  Apparently it wasn’t.

The point is that no one is what they appear to be.  We all form opinions about other people and we like to like the good things about them, so that’s what we think they are.  But, every person has a side they want to keep hidden from others, especially those outside of the family unit.  Family members, often protect other members because of fear, embarrassment, or concern for other family members.  This is why we often hear something horrible about what appears to be the perfect family or a perfect member of a family.

It is shocking and disappointing to hear bad things about those you think are really good people.  Reality is, based upon my experiences, that everyone has faults and flaws and some are extremely concerning.

Perhaps it is best just to accept people for what they want you to think they are.  That is the society we live in.  But, it can be very disappointing.

Don’t build up someone as being perfect.

They are not.

 PMO
©2015

I'm Sorry

Listen up folks.  Hillary says she is sorry about that little private email server thing.  Now, we are all supposed to get back on the bandwagon and support her as the first female president.  What difference does it make that she is trying to stay out of jail?

We’ve never had a woman president (apparently her only qualification.)

We’ve never had one that runs the country from jail either.

PMO
©2015

Let's Move

The serious question has been asked, “If America falls, where else is there to go?”  It is a fair question and the obvious answer is, “You’d better come up with an answer pretty quick, because America is falling fast.”

So, my usual genius has come up with a solution.  Let’s move.  As near as I can tell, there are about 150 million of us that have sense enough to come in out of the rain, so why not get together and move?  Just leave all the social engineered sheep and let them see what they can do without the working people that realize what it takes to make a country work.

How about the Caribbean, or perhaps we could take over Europe.  They like illegal immigrants.  Or there are many other nice places where we could set up shop.

How about Alaska?  No one would visit you there.

PMO
©2015

Day Off

I’ve decided to break the rule that retirees don’t get any days off.  I am taking Labor Day off.

Just thinking about labor, makes me tired.

PMO
©2015

Security Report

There are about 900 people that live in our little gated commune, compound, reservation or whatever you want to call it.  It’s hard to keep up with the count because the community bird is the care-flight helicopter.  While most residents are older, there are more and more young people moving in.  And, one of the benefits they seek, as the old folks do, is security.  The ideal is a crime free zone.

Each month we get a publication giving information about financials, rule changes, events and a security report.  In the latest security report, there were 24 incidents.  That means our crack security force got involved.

We had 8 emergency medical service events and two cases of speeding and/or reckless driving.  There was even a domestic dispute which involved calling out the county sheriff department.  I don’t know what suspicious activity is, but we had one of those too.  There was a water leak, not sure why security was called, and a couple of parking violations.  One loose dog and a dog fight topped the list this month.  Crime is running rampant.

I hate that I missed the dog fight.

PMO
©2015

Labor Day

Labor Day is celebrated all across the country and Canada, on the first Monday of September.  It is supposed to celebrate the contributions made by the working folks - a.k.a. ‘Peons.’  So for the past 120 years or so, everybody goes to the lake and drinks beer.  Well, maybe not everybody.

It is also, for those elites, the last day of the year to wear white or seersucker.  Please remember that.  You don’t want to get caught wearing white or seersucker.  That means I can’t wear one of my favorite shirts until next year.  I don’t know when the start day is.

Yes, I am rambling, but the important thing is that government was forced to recognize that the working people actually contribute to the good of the country and should be celebrated.

I have searched and searched, but I can’t find the date government quit acknowledging that without working people, they would not have any money to give away and make deals that benefit them only.

Labor Day is not for grumpy old retired people like me.

When you are retired, you don’t get off for any holidays.

PMO
©2015

The Fear

Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has defied the supreme court made law and refused to issue a marriage license to gays or lesbians.  Now she is in jail for being a Christian and standing up to the “system.”  This strikes fear into every liberal in America.

What will happen if others begin to stand up and say, “We won’t take it anymore?”  Can you imagine the chaos that can result if those like Ms. Davis, begin to band together and convince others to defy the almighty government that represents only itself and a select few? 

Careful people.  Ms. Davis is the first to be jailed in this country for religious beliefs that don’t agree with the powers.  You could be next.  It’s best to sit, or better kneel, and hope they don’t somehow read your mind.  You could be next. Remember, churches have membership rolls.  They can easily find you.

Don’t you just love my sarcasm?

PMO
©2015

Vote For Who?

What if we had an election for President of The United States and there was no one to vote for?  Right now we appear to have a selection of folks that are having a hard time coming up with a real plan for the country.  They spend all their time talking about each other.

With about a year left before election time, there will be some weeding of the candidates.  Let’s hope that we don’t end up with the choice of who to vote against, again.

Maybe Texas will secede before election time.

I’d vote for that.

PMO
©2015

Herding Cats

I’m looking for someone to blame.  That’s what you are supposed to do in the society of today.  It has to be somebody’s fault.  The problem is that I volunteer to organize and run a retiree group from the company where I worked.  This is only one of my volunteer jobs.  I need someone to blame for the others too.

When you deal with a large number of retirees, there are “challenges.”  I use email for communicating and am very careful in how I word every message I send out.  When announcing a meeting, I always mention the date, time and place of the meeting more than once.  And, I mention the absolute cut-off date for registering for the meeting at least three times.  The cut-off date allows me to give a count for meals to our food provider, arrange a room set up, make name badges and stuff like that.  All these things take time and I am a one man show.

It never fails that someone(s) does not seem to see or care about the cut-off dates.  There are always those that just think that the rules don’t apply to them.  And, on the meeting day, there are always some that can’t be happy about minor things.  About the only thing they listen to me about is where the rest rooms are.  It’s like herding cats.

Somebody is to blame for all this and I’m going to find out who that someone is.

PMO
©2015

Mercy Mercy

Mercy Otis Warren (1728 - 1814) is considered by some to be the first woman to write for the public, not just for herself.  And, she wrote about politics and even advised some of the founding fathers.  She was a big fan of Sam Adams, but had disdain for John Adams.  Mercy opposed the Constitution because it gave too much power to a central government.

I happened to run across the following quote from one of her books and read it two or three times.

"It is necessary for every American, with becoming energy to endeavor to stop the dissemination of principles evidently destructive of the cause for which they have bled. It must be the combined virtue of the rulers and of the people to do this, and to rescue and save their civil and religious rights from the outstretched arm of tyranny, which may appear under any mode or form of government." —Mercy Warren, “History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution,” 1805.

Mercy, Mercy.  That makes sense.

PMO
©2015