Hypocrites

How many of you are hypocrites, raise your hand?  If you didn’t raise your hand, you lied and are still a hypocrite.   All of us pretend to be something we are not at one time or another.  Such is the story about a preacher that invited a man to church and the man replied, “I’m not coming to church, it’s full of hypocrites.”  The preacher said, “Come anyway, one more want make any difference.”

Are churches really filled with hypocrites?  You better believe it.  From my experiences, the meanest people in the world are in churches, but then so are the nicest people in the world.  Jesus said that some church leaders were vipers and hypocrites.  That’s why He took His message to the gentiles.

The apostle Paul proclaimed himself as the chief of sinners, yet he took the Gospel to the world.  Saint Peter was a fisherman and was prone to chop off ears with his sword. Was he a hypocrite?  Yes, until he learned better.

Think about it.

PMO
©2016

Pets On The Patio

Our little abode is not far from Tyler in East Texas.  Right now the Tyler city governors are discussing allowing people to bring their pets to restaurant outdoor patios.  And, as expected, there is much discussion.  The usual items like pets must be on a lease or in a carrier and must be up to date on shots are just some of the considerations to be determined.

Being a person that likes animals more than humans, I have some items that may be over sighted.  For example, what happens when two dogs greet each other?  That’s not a sight to watch at meal time.  What happens when Fluffy has an ‘accident?’  Who’s going to clean up that mess?  And, what happens if Phideaux(Fido) decides to take a chunk out of someone? 

Having no confidence in any government official(s), I wonder if the type of pets are being considered.  What if someone wants to bring a pet cow?  She would be on a leash.  Cats are a whole different critter and will go where they want to, when they want to.  Not everyone likes to share a tuna salad with a cat.

The list can go on for ever, so, I have every confidence that the city leaders will approve the measure to appease one or two people.

When the ordinance goes into effect, I’m going to take my pet chicken to one of the eateries. Yes, it will be on a leash.  My chicken smokes.

Is that going to be a problem?

PMO
©2016

Itty Bitty World

I have mentioned before that we all live in a little world.  It’s really about the size of one room.  Our worlds are made up of a few family and friends that drive us to do what we do and think what we think.  This is not all bad, but it is also, not all good.  Each of us tends to migrate to those of the same thinking.  In other words, we are victims of our environment for the better or worse.

Humans like to be comfortable and feel important to somebody.  That’s why one usually has a small, but influential, group of friends.  These friends help us support our beliefs and attitudes.

All this rambling is getting to a point.  If humans are humans, and most of them are, then it is safe to conclude that politicians have friends that influence what they believe and want.  It just could be that all the input from the lowly citizens is nothing more than a nuance to them.  They already know
what’s best for everyone of us.

In their little world.

PMO
©2016

Bring In The Clowns

By now you should be aware that I am not a fan of politicians.  So, it is with great amusement that I watch, read and listen to all the junk (it is junk) that’s happening with the primaries and debates.  Having been to a real circus before, it is obvious that’s what happening now.  All they need is a
‘barker’ to announce the events in each ring.

I was waiting for them to bring in the clowns, but I realized the candidates (both parties) are the clowns.

Real elephants and donkeys would be embarrassed to  have anything to do with this circus.

PMO
©2016

The Same

If you have traveled to another country or met people from distant places and you pay attention, you will discover that people are the same.  They have the same basic needs, wants and desires.  It is the cultures that divide us.  Different religions, traditions, governments, and beliefs cause each one of us to think that ours is the right way to behave and interact with others.

In some societies, it is not unusual to kill another person for adultery, stealing or because they have a different religion.  There are places where some animals are sacred.  And, there are cultures where leaders are viewed as a deity.

If we all have the same basic needs, food, water and shelter, and the same desires and wants, then what is it that divides us to a point where we kill each other?  Believe it or not, the answer is the same, where ever you are.  Politicians!

And, you thought it was having no air conditioning or toilet paper.

PMO
©2016

I Think I'll Quit

Retirement is supposed to be your second childhood without supervision.  I don’t know who said that but they weren’t retired.  Retirement is more work than working.  At least it is at my house.  There is always something that has to be done or somebody wants something done.  So, I think I just quit.

I’m going to find a job so I can get some rest.

PMO
©2016

Not If, But When

Over 200 years ago, a man decided that he had enough of tyranny.  He was fed up with being forced to do what he did not believe was right.  For awhile he only talked to some close friends, then he became more openly vocal.  His disgust grew and grew until the numbers that supported his ideas grew and grew until one day at the risk of life and fortune, a change took place.

Sam was considered a radical.  His cousin John was seen as level headed with the ability to unite others.

Sam and John Adams must have said it first.  Now the question is raised again.

Not if, but when.

PMO
©2016

Vote For Cruz

Choosing whom to vote for is not easy.  One should listen carefully to what they have to say, do a little research on the ones that interest you and then close your eyes and pick one.  It also helps to hold your nose when you choose.

Right now, in the GOP horse race, the favorite seems to be Trump.  His supporters claim that he says what needs to be said.  And, he has a nice hat.

However, there is one candidate that stands out above them all for one simple reason.  That’s Cruz.  “Why?’, you may ask.  Well, from what I’ve been reading lately, he is absolutely hated by everyone in D.C. and all the media.

How could you not vote for a man with credentials like that?

PMO
©2016

Let It Snow

With all the record snow in the East, I know there are some that may have concerns.  Just so you will know all is well, I ran an internet speed test to D.C. and some surrounding areas and everything seems to be just fine.

Hillary can get on line.

Don’t you feel better now?

PMO
©2016

Nursing Informatics

I understand that I don’t get out much and there is a world of things I don’t know, but every now and then I run across something that I just have to find out about.  Nusing Informatics is one of those things that caught my attention.  Check out the following definition.

Nursing informatics (NI) is the specialty that integrates nursing science with multiple information management and analytical sciences to identify, define, manage, and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. NI supports nurses, consumers, patients, the interprofessional healthcare team, and other stakeholders in their decision-making in all roles and settings to achieve desired outcomes. This support is accomplished through the use of information structures, information processes, and information technology.

In plain English, this is someone that takes a lot information, puts it all in a computer and hits a button that creates a plan of action for medical matters.  I think it is kind of like what used to happen when you called your doctor.

He/she would say, “Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.”

PMO
©2016

Two Old Friends

Two old friends drove down from the Dallas area today.  That’s about a four hour drive, round trip.  They came to visit.  We three guys enjoyed a lunch together and talked about everything but politics.  That’s because one of the guys won’t stop if he gets started.  It was a nice visit.

I mention this because it is getting more rare for friends to get together and just talk.  Everyone is just too busy.  Like a lot of people, we talk on the phone or send emails, but there’s a difference when you sit down for a meal and relax.

Try it with a couple of fiends.

You have the time, if you really want to.

PMO
©2016

Acting

If someone should ask you, “Who is your favorite actor?”, you usually will tell them.  But, if you are asked about which politician you plan to vote for, it becomes a different question.  Reality is that there’s no difference.

Do you think your favorite actor is the same character or characters he or she plays?  Of course not.  At least you should not believe that.  And, there in lies the problem.  Too many people believe that politicians are the people they pretend to be in public or on TV.  They are acting and some of them are quite good.

The Oscar goes to the current Resident of the White House.

PMO
©2016

II Corinthians

Two Corinthians walk into a bar.  They look around and one of them says, “That place we went last night only had I John.  This place has two.”  The other says, “I hear the place across the street has three.”

Sorry Donald.  It’s II funny to pass up.

©2016

Look Up

Humans have a lot of interesting characteristics.  One of which is that we rarely look upward.  My case in point is that today I was in a large building with a lot of halls and spaces.  A lady ahead of, walking down a hall, stopped another lady that worked there and asked, “Where is a restroom?”  The employee pointed to a sign suspended from the ceiling.

Be honest and think about the last time you looked up.  Most humans look at eye level or down.  I have some storage cabinets in my garage and when I go to look for something, I open a door and look straight in.  It is only after I look behind all the doors that I finally look up to the top shelves.  That’s why spiders and snipers hide in plain sight.  They both get high up where we are not likely to see them.

It has occurred to me that we might see a lot more if we looked upward more often.

Especially if we look up toward heaven.

PMO
©2016

Natural Born

Is anyone surprised that Ted Cruz’s right to run for president is being challenged?  He was born in Canada, to an American mother who happened to be there when it was time.  Didn’t we have another guy that had  a similar issue?  Nobody seems sure that one has been resolved yet.

So, let’s look at what a “natural” born citizen should be.  When the Constitution was written the intent was to prevent any of the wave of immigrants from coming in and taking over without knowing about the developing American culture.  You can’t or shouldn’t argue with that.

Here come the questions.  If an illegal immigrant sneaks into the country, has a baby (at our expense) and then is taken back to the country of origin, is that child “natural” born.  If the child grows up in another country, in a different culture, can the child become president?

How about, a child that is born to missionaries to a foreign country.  Both parents are Americans by birth.  The child is entitled to American citizenship.  Can the child become president?

Let us remember that Native Americans were all born here, but it was not until June 2, 1924 that they became citizens with all the rights of citizenship.

One more.  A child is born to a mother here on a permanent visa.  The mother is not a citizen, but the child is.

Is Ted Cruz eligible to run for the highest office in our land?

You figure it out and call Ted so he will know for sure.

PMO
©2016

#64

The official grumpy old man rules, #64 states, “Know what you are willing to die for.”  That’s a tough one, that most people have never considered.  Sure, most people say they would die for their children, their spouse or even their pet, but would they?

One of the favorite things people like to brag about is that they would die to defend their home.  Please!  There is nothing in a house worth dying for.  One should get the family and get out to safety.  Forget the house.

Recently I watched a documentary about some of the Navy SEALS that fought in Iraq.  One of them said to do the job, you have to be willing to kill and you have to be willing to die.

There are few things worth dying for, but the ones that are, are worth it.

PMO
©2016

Blood Sport

It has been said that politics is a blood sport.  What is never mentioned is the fact that it is not the politicians blood.

It is ours.

PMO
©2016

Whichaway

For a long time I though my financial controller was the only woman that had no sense of direction, but she is not.  It may be part of the female DNA.

To men, knowing when way you are going and which way you want to go is important.  If you are traveling north and you need to go east, start looking for right hand turn.  That sort of thing.

Many years ago, we were in Colorado and decided to go to a music festival outside of the city where we were.  I started out on a route that I felt would get us there.  But, then she got the map out.  She navigated us down a path that soon became a one lane road that literally went through a tree.  The trip took almost an hour.  When we left, I just let my sense of direction lead, and a bunch of cars ahead, and we were back in town in about 15 minutes.

I mention this because this week we were driving and she wanted me to turn left onto a loop in the wrong direction.  She wanted me to go north when south was where we needed to go.  I went south and we got there just fine.

I’ve talked to other husbands and they all have the same problem.  Men think in terms of direction, but women don’t.  They think in terms of, “what’s it next to?”

That’s why they invented GPS.

PMO
©2016

Parting Gifts

It is time to start thinking about some parting gifts for Obama when he leaves office.  Based upon his SOTU address, I think the man is in dire need of an information service.

He said the economy is great, but we are now deeper in debt that anytime in history and food stamps recipients are growing by leaps and bounds.

National security is another note he made.  My question is, exactly what country is he living in.  He is doing everything he can to get more and more people that are a danger to us all, moved here.

Foreign policy and relations have other nations laughing at us.  If that is his idea of improvement, then he needs to explain.

Then, he mentioned political division.  Does this man not understand, he had done more to divide the country than any outsiders could possibly do?

How about we get him a big screen TV and a subscription to a legitimate newspaper.

Better yet, maybe he needs to move into the real world.

PMO
©2016

She Made It

One of the problems with kids is that they grow up.  Just about the time you get them potty trained and some what house broken enough to pick up some of their stuff, they leave home.

My youngest granddaughter was notified this week that she has been accepted to the college of her dreams.  She is to be congratulated on her hard work to gain admittance to the school.  Her plans are to major in elementary education.  I think she is planning to teach granddad a few things.  If I went back to school, I’d still be in the third grade.

Now all we have to do is work out the financial part of college.  If she can get about a million scholarships and grants. and everyone we know, kicks in all the funds they have, she will be able to attend for at least an hour.

Something tells me that she will make it just fine, in spite of her granddad.

PMO
©2016

Doctor In The House

I don’t go to doctors until I absolutely have to.  They can hurt you and take your money.  I’ve had so many pokes, tests, and shots, I now have a strong aversion to doctors.  Plus, they are not a good buy.  If they don’t fix your problem, they still take your money.


For years, I have suffered from Lyme disease.  And for years, I have associated whatever aches or pains I may have with the disease.  It is somewhat of a mystery disease because it can imitate everything from arthritis to a heart attack.  But for the past several weeks I have had an ailment that doesn’t go away, so my financial controller thinks I need to go to a doctor. 

I suggested that I need to see a sinus specialist.  Because of my headaches, she thinks I need a neurologist.  I countered with an offer to go to an allergist.  She came back with a visit to an internal medicine doctor.

Next week I have an appointment with a veterinarian.  Could be all I need is a distemper shot.

I hope I have a cold nose and don’t need a flea collar.

PMO
©2016

Did You KInow?

As usual I have been reading the unusual again.  This time I ran across some interesting notes about death from a funeral service in California.

Did you know that about 100 billion people have died since time began? 

There are 375,000 Facebook users that die ever year.  I can understand why.

Sharks kill about 12 people per year, and humans kill 11,400 sharks. 


We are born with 270 bones, but die with only 206.

You can have your cremains rocketed into outer space.  And, the creator of the Pringles packaging had his cremains stored in a Pringles can.

The electric chair was invented by a dentist.  Who would not have suspected that?

And, finally, Dr. Alice Chase who wrote, ‘Nutrition For Health’ died of malnutrition.

When it comes to death, remember Buddha said, “The problem is that you think you have time.”

PMO
©2016

Listen

Okay, it’s time for another grumpy old man official rule of life.  Rule #65, “Listen for what is not being said.”  The problem with people is there is too much conversation and not enough communication.  I read a tidbit today that states, “The biggest communication problem is that we do not listen to understand.  We listen to reply.”

The next time you have a serious conversation, try listening to understand.

You can’t understand if you don’t listen for what is not being said.

PMO
©2016

Not As Bad

As mentioned several times before, I am an observer by nature and training.  I find people amusing, irritating and sometimes just plain insane.  To understand why some people do the things they do, like hurt a child or commit a mass murder is beyond my comprehension.  And, I have noticed that one cannot judge a person by their looks or their presented behavior.  How many times have you heard, “That’s the last person I would have suspected?”

People do lots of things they would never want anyone to know about.  We all do, just in case you think you don’t.  And, more often than not, if found out, the response is, “Well, I’m not as bad as so-and-so.”

Here’s a bit of advice for free.  When judgement day rolls around, don’t try that on God.

He doesn’t grade one’s behavior against another and judge accordingly.

PMO
©2016

545

If you have ever complained about high taxes, the federal deficit, ridiculous government controls, laws and policies that make absolutely no sense, unfair treatment, national security, bureaucrats, special interest groups, or hundreds of other domestic problems in this country, it is time to stop and think.  There are 100 senators, 435 congress members, one president, and nine supreme court justices that want everything to be the way it is.  If they didn’t, they have the authority to change it.

Why do politicians talk about reducing the national debt, unfair taxes, needless wars, inflation, and a list of other things that take away from the people basic rights and privileges?  Because they want to.
There are over 300 million people in this country being shamelessly controlled by 545.  They are legally and morally responsible.

When will the people stand up and fire them?

It is time to say, “You’re fired!”

PMO
©2016

Enough About Gun Control

A gun is an inanimate object.  It is no more or less dangerous than a knife, a club, a bomb or any other object one might think of as a weapon.  Guns are not the cause of deaths in this or any other country.  People are the cause.  Guns can be the instrument.

In the right hands guns can be a tool for protection of life and property.  Guns serve the purpose making weaker individuals equal to a larger attacker.  Through out history, guns have prevented more deaths than they were used for.  Why do the same politicians that would take them away from you have armed security?  They understand that with their armed bodyguards, the likely hood of being attacked is greatly reduced.

If guns are so bad, why do the police carry them?  If guns are ever banned, shouldn’t the police give up theirs too?

If no one has guns, why would the police need them?

PMO
©2016

Still At It

Resident Obama is still trying to get rid of the guns in this country.  No, he’s not saying that, but it is somewhat obvious if one stays conscious some of the time.  If you ask, “Why would he want to get rid of all the guns?,” then you are one of the unconscious. 

It is interesting to note that the top GOP contenders have come out with statements that support the 2nd Amendment.  Supporting the Constitution is always popular with those that are aware.  Some of the candidates again have stated that if they are elected, they will immediately recall, repeal, cancel or otherwise do away with all of Obama’s executive orders.

That going to keep them busy for awhile.

PMO
©2016

100 Million Guns

On December 8, Fox News reported that since Obama has been in office, there have been more than 100 million guns sold.  That’s 100 million in less than seven years.

I took a trip recently to a store that sells guns to see a particular model.  The clerk said they did not have one and added that in the three weeks before Christmas, the store had sold 65 guns per day. That’s over 1,300 guns from just one store in East Texas.

What does all this mean?

Resident Obama is one heck of a gun salesman.

PMO
©2016

Daniel And The Leaves

We don’t have a tree on our property, but our lawn is covered with leaves.  That’s because two neighbors have trees.  One neighbor, Daniel, is new to the neighborhood.  He and his wife moved here from far West Texas.  Out there, you can spot a tree from miles away because it is usually the only tree for miles.  Dogs are lined up to get their turn.

Reality is that Daniel doesn’t know how to deal with all the leaves that cover his yard and mine.  He made an effort to pile them up and mulch them with his lawn mower.  Good idea but it doesn’t work.  Before he could get a third of the yard done, the leaves were back.  That tree sheds for months.  I told him that when he moved here.

I did notice that he only attempted to cleaned up the leaves along the property line between the two houses.  Guess what?  I just waited until the wind switched to the north.  Now, he has all his leaves back.

I’ve lived here long enough to know how to deal with leaves.

PMO
©2016

Predictions 2016

Because I am as qualified to predict the future as anyone else, I have several predictions for the new year.  First and most important, politicians will continue to wheel and deal for themselves.  And, they will not gain any knowledge about what the heck is going on in the real world.

There will be football, football and football.  The games should end just before training camp starts in the fall.

The stock market will go up and the stock market will go down.  The best we can hope for is that the downs don’t overcome the ups.

We will have weather this year.  There will be dramatic weather events, but also a lot of really nice days.  Mostly there will be daylight during the day and darkness at night.  Let’s hope that one works out.

People will continue to hate other people for no legitimate reason.  Of all the human emotions, hate is the favorite one for some folks.  If we all would admit it, we are guilty of hate.  Maybe someone will come up with a pill we can take.

By the time the elections are held in the fall, everyone will be so sick of politics that they don’t care who they vote for.  The politicians are counting on that and will spare no money to see that you are throughly confused.

Anti-Christians will continue to assault Christianity and will make some progress to rid the country of the foundation upon which it stands.  Those people will however continue to enjoy a day off for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Technology will peak.  Absolutely no one will be safe from anything and privacy will be against the law.  Old people will sit and wonder why they can’t get a new memory upgrade.

By the middle of the year abortions should be back in full operation.  There could be discussion about extending the abortion period to three years.  And, someone will suggest that abortion should apply to anyone over 65 years of age.

If the current Resident can’t get a race or culture war going, we stand a good chance of going to all out war with somebody.  Anybody.

The push to ban guns will intensify.  But, be warned, so will the resistance.  When people get really scared, they tend to defend themselves.

Fast food will go up in cost and workers will be without jobs.  I think it’s called the trickle out of a job effect.

And, finally, everyone will be offended.  Should you not be offended, there will be a government hot line to call that can help you come up with something.

It looks like another fun filled, action packed year.

PMO
©2016

Chinese New Year

The practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck on New Year’s Day is believed to date back to the Civil War.  General Sherman’s troops ignored the crops of peas because they were thought to be food for livestock.  The other crops were burned or stolen, but the lowly black-eyed peas were left.  Therefore, in the South, the peas are believed to be lucky and bring luck for the coming year.

Some say that for the best chance of good luck, one must eat 365 black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day.  That’s a lot of peas.  Then there’s the tradition of adding a penny to the pot of peas with the person getting the penny in their bowl having the most luck.  Unless they choke on the penny of course.

And, I did not know until this year, that one is supposed to have cabbage with your black-eyed peas.  It seems the cabbage leaves resemble money and will bring prosperity.  I’m not talking any chances so I will have a whole head of cabbage to go with my 365 peas.  It may be a good idea to avoid me for a few days.

What your are asking does any of this have to do with the title of this post?  Nothing.  Except we went to lunch today (New Year's Day) at a Chinese restaurant.  Get it?

Never mind.

PMO
©2016