Monthly Archives: June 2024

Making Things Better?

Posted in Uncategorized by

Besides changing computers, I have changed phones. I have decided to give up T-Mobil. When I first signed up with them, I could just go down to the nearest T-Mobil store and get most anything resolved. Then they merged with someone else. Now they are more expensive and I have to get everything “resolved” over the phone… including disconnecting lines. About all the local stores do is sell phones and there is quite a line for that. It’s now all new and improved, you know.

I am still under contract but once I am able to break free, I will go from about $170 a month to about $35. I think that is the kind of improvement I can live with. Moreover, there will be no contract. I wonder if they will ask me why I changed.

So, the other day, I decided to copy about 500 photos from my old phone to my new computer. It used to be easy. I plugged the phone into my computer and did a copy, as if copying from one disk to another. A word to the wise. It doesn’t work that way anymore. MS has decided on a “New and Improved” method, you know.

Isn’t that neat? And they didn’t even ask me. I’ve spent hours trying to use the old method and the new one. So far, I have not transferred so much as one photo.

Well, I am not totally foolish. I have a micro memory card in the phone. Now it is simply a small matter of making sure all the photos are on the micro card and then remove the micro card. Then it is a simple matter of installing it in the new computer with the help of an adapter, maybe.

Of course nothing is certain. They just might have figured a way to stop that too. I don’t know. These engineers are real geniuses these days, you know. Turn the world over to them and it just might come to a complete grinding halt. They might even find a way to stop its spinning.

On the “Outlook.com” matter, in about two or three weeks, it will be completely removed from the new computer. I already have another mailbox set up and ready to go. It is just a matter of going through the past messages and copying the ones I need.

Tonight, while I was trying to deal with the photos, MS tried to pitch their new Office suite again. It just sort of popped up out of nowhere. They keep asking why I don’t like it. I don’t guess they read my replies because they keep trying to push it. If it were half as good as the old version I have, I would be willing to pay for it. However, like everything else, it’s the new improved version. Slower, more bells and whistles I don’t need and more difficult to use.

They are always making everything better you know, like Windows ME. Then, they can’t understand why I don’t want it.

The Laws of the Road

Posted in Uncategorized by

I’m headed down the road and out of the corner of my eye, I see a police car. Instantly, my eye goes to the speedometer. We all do it, or at least most of us. None of us wants a speeding ticket. Not only is it a heavy fine, but my insurance would go up too. Perhaps, maybe I would lose my insurance altogether. For that matter, if I get too many speeding tickets, I could lose my operators license and have to walk a while, or maybe I could get a bicycle.

Yet the law does have a purpose, a reason to exist. Take for instance the car I saw coming up quickly behind me as I was going over the I-55 bridge on Goodman. I was going west at slightly below the speed limit as I was approaching a car in front of me going slower.

At this particular time, the traffic was not that bad and if the man wanted to get in the right lane and take the southbound lane for 55 he could have moved over and would have been completely unobstructed. However, instead of getting in the right lane, he quickly dodged in front of me without warning from the right and then into the left lane.

It somewhat confused me because there was noting at all keeping him from moving into the left lane before he reached me. Then, of all things, he made another lane change to get in front of the car in front of me. While I was still shaking my head about that maneuver, he moved over to the right lane and took the cloverleaf down to southbound I-55.

The wife and I had to just laugh at it, dangerous as it was. We couldn’t make up our minds whether he was a driver who was having a hard time making up his mind or if he was just a very reckless driver. Law or not, if his insurance agent had seen that little stunt, he would have probably had a very difficult time ever getting insurance again. Certainly, if I were his agent, I would have pulled his policy in a heartbeat.

I don’t know why people pull stunts like that. It absolute served no purpose and it did put others in danger. Regardless, most of us try to follow the rules of the road. It is a benefit to others when they know what we are going to do and it is even a benefit to ourselves. As my brother used to say, on our birthday, we all like surprises. While driving, not so much. It is far better that others know what I am going to do and it is better that I know what all the other drivers are going to do.

The rules of the road, the laws help us do that. Without the laws and conventions, driving would be far more difficult and very dangerous. Driving at whatever speed we want to go, might get us to our destination faster. On the other hand, we might not get there at all.

I have often said, I do respect the policeman, but maybe just a little less when he pulls me over. I mean there are many others out there that disobey laws much worse than me. Moreover, I do have places to go and people to meet. Besides, I was only going 5 miles an hour over the speed limit.

Indeed, in some such situations, it is most difficult to remember that that law enforcement officer is literally risking his life in order to keep me and my fellow motorists a little safer, in spite of my wanting to go just a little faster.

When you come right down to it, the motor vehicle codes of the various states are relatively new laws. They came onto the scene only sometime after 1900 when cars became commonplace, especially in the cities. In addition, the roads and highways have been built. In the days of the old west, it would be very difficult to find a street with a painted double yellow line, or for that matter, a left turn lane. It is fortunate that Edison invented his light when he did. It would be difficult to see where we are going and of course, there are the signal lights that started popping up all over the place.

Laws in general, however, are not new. Moreover, they are a vary important part of life. They are extremely necessary for civilization. Today, we have a political party that it would seem would like to do away with the laws and the law enforcement. I guess. I am a little guilty. However, it is the lawyers I’d like to reduce.

I have no idea when the first laws were made. I am sure there are some that would have some accurate estimates. Nonetheless, I suspect, the first time more than 50 or so people started to live in one village, some laws of some type started being made, even if they were not written. As I said, they are a requirement for people to live in proximity to each other. If not, the people will be at each other’s throats. In some regards, thy are anyway.

It is both Biblical and historical that when the Hebrews left Egypt, they were twelve tribes, not a nation. As near as I can tell, there were no laws, no rules. The only law they lived under were the laws and edicts of Egypt and the Pharaoh. It only made sense that one of the first things God did when He brought them out of bondage, that he gave them laws to live by.

However, these were not just any laws. They were the laws as made by God and they were presented to the Hebrew people as a gift. If they lived by them, the new nation would thrive and become rich and powerful. On the other hand, if they did not live by the law, then the nation would suffer. Indeed, Moses told them if they did not live by the law and refused to repent, that they would be sent into slavery.

It was not only a warning but a prophecy. Israel was first taken and then about a hundred years later, Judah became slaves. Both nations were warned & warned again and finally, as forewarned, the punishment was announced and carried through.

Before we go too far with this, let’s take another closer look at the law, first the Ten Commandments then many more. The combination was later referred to as simply the law. Let’s get one thing straight. The law was not given to all of mankind, but only to Israel, at least as near as I can tell. I have read the Bible many times and I have yet to find anything that says that the law was given to anyone outside of God’s chosen people.

God connected a blessing to the law, that if they obeyed the law, the nation of Israel would be great. We, as non-Jews are not given such a promise. However, there is a certain logic that tells us it is to our advantage to follow the laws. Would anyone suggest that lying would be a good thing for a nations citizenry? Is theft something that that would benefit any country? Certainly, if we could do away with murder in this nation, it would be far better for the US or any nation, for Mississippi or for any state and certainly for any city, great or small.

Yet as with the traffic officer, we have become defiant. There are those who want to defy the laws, whether from God or man, and we live and die recklessly as the man who gig-zagged past me and the car in front of me. He defied the law and he got away with it. No officer was there to see him so he did not get pulled over.

Yet, we all know that we are better off with the law and it would be better if the man had been caught in the act, so to speak.

Is it so horrible that we post the Ten Commandments in public places. On the other hand, is it better that we not remind the lawless to live by the law, regardless of where that law comes from.

Let’s face it. There are those in all societies that don’t like the law and they don’t like seeing it posted in front of them. They would prefer to ignore it. When they drive recklessly and are involved in an accident, it is someone else’s fault, not theirs. I mean, the streets, the cities, the world does belong to them, right.

Small Drink / Large Drink

Posted in Uncategorized by

The restaurants have me confused. I thought the idea was to sell the most possible on each transaction. Yet, when I say a want a large drink, they want to sell me a small or a medium one. Well, it actually isn’t that way. I order a hamburger, a small fry and a large drink, they come back and ask, “Would you like the combo?”

I say, “No. I want a large drink and a small fry.”

“You will save (such and such amount) by getting the combo,” comes the reply.

“But I don’t want a large fry. I will just waste half the large one. I do want a large soda because, even though I can get refills, I do not want to be going back to the fountain every ten minutes.”

Maybe it doesn’t always go like that, but it would seem they all have pretty much the same dialog memorized. In many cases, to avoid angering the person behind the counter, I just order the large combo and waste the fries.

However, if you stop and think of it, it is to the advantage of the restaurant to sell me the larger drink. Let’s say, for convenience, the small drink is 50 cents and the large one is a dollar. If there is no charge for refills, I can drink one gallon (Sometimes I get thirsty just before eating) for the price of a small or a large. However, in the one case, it is a gallon for 50 cents and in the other it is a gallon for a dollar.

I mean, that is the way I figure the math. This makes me wonder all the more about the math the restaurants are using. Well, just maybe the difference is their cost of the large cup. Could it be that the larger cup is more than 50 cents more for the large cup. Could it be that they are afraid that I will drink more because I get a larger cup. Then, too, isn’t that kind of the idea.

Either way, why should I have to argue with them to get what I want. The irony of irony is that when I order the burger, small fries and large drink, they give me the large fries anyway, sometimes knowing I paid for the small one. By the way, it doesn’t do any good to tell them. I know. I tried it.

And so it is that I end up tossing half the fries they give me. Pardon me if I say, I really don’t understand their math. I really don’t understand their business plan.

Be Grateful, For Those With the Courage

Posted in Christian values by

I have a challenge for those who are convinced there is no God. Be grateful. Is the request that horrible. Just each time you have a meal, for three months, thank God for it. Tell Him you appreciate the food. I must admit, it will take courage. If, as you say, there is no God, no harm. On the other hand, if there is a God, and, because you start thanking Him, He just might make his presence known to you.

Then, what do you do? You will have to make a decision. Will you admit the presence of God or will you continue to deny Him in spite of knowing of Him.

As I say, it takes courage. You just might not like the results. Then again, in the long run, you just might really like it.

I don’t know. I have no idea what the results will be. I have not asked God in advance and He has not said anything to me that I know of. It’s totally my idea, an experiment.

Regardless, isn’t it a good idea to be thankful to others, even if you refuse to thank God.

Personally, when I learned to thank God, I also learned to be thankful to others. It didn’t really take all that much courage. I just thought it would.

It’s Just So Hot!

Posted in Uncategorized by

As I have said before, my backyard really got out of control when I came down with the China Virus three times. Since then, I have been trying to get it under control about a half hour each day. After being so sick so much and at 76 years of age, that is just about all I can handle. Oddly, the power tools do all the work but I do all the sweating. I don’t know how that works.

At any rate, the weeds were about 4 to 5 feet high. If I could just go out there with a trimmer, that would be difficult enough. However, some of the weeds are over an inch thick so I have to use a pair of long-handled loppers, in which case I really do have to work.

Well, today, the weather just beat me. I went out there with nothing but my trimmers and in about 10 minutes, I had all I could take. I had cleared a patch about fifteen by fifteen but that 95+ heat forced me to retreat to the breeze of portable AC. Admittedly, I had to use all of my reserve energy just to escape the outdoors.

I guess, at this rate, it will be winter by the time I get done, but I do have another project to work on. During an ice storm, a branch fell from a tree to the top of my storage shed. The steel is now just so much scrap that will have to be carted off, after it is disassembled. The frustrating thing is that it took me 5 weekends to put it up one summer much like this one. I built it to put my lawn tractor in, which I no longer have. With the back yard as it is, I wouldn’t be able to use it back there, anyway. The pine trees have virtually destroyed the grass.

A Simple Question, Which Requires a Very Complex Answer

Posted in Uncategorized by

When I first went to instructor training, about the first words out of my instructors mouth was that, in order to teach, the teacher must motivate the student. That is to say, before any student will learn he must want to learn. Indeed, the rate at which any student will learn will depend on the motivation of the student.

That, however, is only the beginning. The second thing, at least to some degree, the teacher must take what he knows and place it in the students mind. This, to be sure is an art within itself. There are a myriad of things standing in the way. For the young man, perhaps baseball, football and basketball. A few will be thinking about cars, and of course girls. Young girls, of course, have their own distractions such as that good looking quarterback.

Before lunch, everyone thinks of hunger and what they will eat. When they get back from lunch, it is a matter of keeping them from falling asleep. As it nears the end of the day, there are hundreds of things which distract child and adult alike. They are anticipating their afternoon plans, whatever they might be. This makes Friday afternoon one of the most difficult times to teach.

Teaching and learning is not just passing information from a teacher to a group students, though. It is easy to think of it as such, but it is so much more. Ultimately, it comes to a point where the teacher teaches, not what to know or think, but how to learn and think. In the end, the student will know so much more than the teacher. It is the way knowledge grows in a society. After we finish school, we must know how to teach ourselves. It is the ultimate thing that a teacher can teach. I suppose close to 95% of what I have learned, I learned from doing or reading. I only learned about 5% in school.

It certainly starts with reading and writing. The person unable to read and write is seriously hampered in our current society. It is not enough for the cobbler apprentice to learn the craft of making shoes. Nowadays we make machines that make shoes. Then too, some people must occasionally repair those and other machines.

It means thinking beyond knowing our current world but what it will be decades from now. The current teachers might teach Edgar Allan Poe, but more important, how to write even better than Edgar Allen Poe. It must be new, different and, of course a joy to read.

At one time, society didn’t believe that bridges could be made from steel. One day, someone built a bridge from steel and they’ve been doing it ever since. I would hope the really great teacher would prod people into such things in a wide variety of various fields far beyond the knowledge of the teacher’s knowledge.

However, the basics cannot be overlooked. The things a child learns in the first 6 grades may very well determine the success of the students later. Indeed, the teacher that teaches the more advanced subjects relies very much on how well the teachers teach in the the lower grades.

Then too, just how great a teacher might be somewhat based on what is expected of him. Is he supposed to teach physics or how to fix an air conditioner. Each has his own problems and each has its own methods. Each student is different and presents a different challenge. For instance, try telling a sixth grader learning algebra the importance of being able to represent values with letters. Quite frankly, I am still at a loss of knowing the importance of knowing anything about the fictitious character of Silas Marner. Let’s face it, for some teachers, their task is simply improbable at best for some students.

Perhaps two of the biggest requirements of the really great teacher is really strong determination and very thick skin. I’m sure a love of teaching and the subject they teach is important.

Then, oddly, occasionally, you see a student react to something you teach and you see that little light inside their mind come on. As an instructor, I have seen it happen. It makes the difficulty and frustration worth it.

Daily writing prompt
What makes a teacher great?
View all responses

Down With Tobacco

Posted in Uncategorized by

When I went into the Marines, I would guess that at least 75% in the armed services smoked. Even then the Surgeon General spoke of the evils of it. If I remember right, it was about then that the tobacco companies were asked to withdraw their advertisements from TV. After all, the ads were aimed at the youth of the time. They encouraged children to pick up the “cancer sticks,” as they were referred to.

To be sure, everyone knew they weren’t healthy, but many didn’t care, for a number of reasons. Certainly those in war zones where their life was in danger anyway, had little reason to give up smoking. After leaving the service, the habit had its hold in most of those who did not have the forethought of the hazards.

All four of my brothers picked up smoking and three smoked until the day they died. One of them gave up the habit at 70. Ironically, the smoking did not figure into the deaths of any of them. However, I knew many who did die of tobacco related deaths. I for one was glad to see the virtual death of the tobacco industry.

How-some-ever, when we tried to do away with alcohol, we failed. Most of the common, law abiding folks gave it up. However, if a person could look in on the lives of the rich, the famous and the politicians, I think we would have seen many who were living well outside the law and without anything that resembled a conscious or law enforcement for that matter.

I can’t prove it. I don’t have the where-with-all to do the research. However, you and I both know that for every death or injury caused by tobacco, there are likely 3 or 4 caused by alcohol. This is as measure of both direct and indirect.

I have seen the affects of alcohol both in person and in the news. The true question is, can the real measure of destruction ever be measured? I don’t know, but when I was in the Marines, I was told by truly reliable sources that alcohol caused more problems than all the other drugs in the Marine Corps. I would suspect it is also true in the other services.

Yet, drinking of alcoholic beverages is not discouraged. Indeed, it is encouraged. Those, as me, who do not drink quickly are on the outside. With any promotion over the rank of E-5, a “Wet down,” is expected. When I made E-6, I’m sure I was expected to do something, but I didn’t. When others had wet downs, I didn’t attend. When the squadron I was in had beer a party, I didn’t go. You can imagine the results that had.

When I was in Vietnam, we occasionally ran out of soft drinks, but never beer. The priority of alcohol, even in a combat zone was right at the top. I suppose something could be said about it helping the morale of the troops but what did it imply to those of us who didn’t drink.

While in the Marines, I thought it would be different in civilian life. The fact is that it is the same, just in a different way. Those who don’t drink are encouraged to start. Those who start as a result of the pressure and become alcoholics are fired because they can’t do their job anymore.

We no longer encourage children to smoke. On the other hand, drinking is encouraged regularly. Even family shows such as on Hallmark, show people drinking at virtually every opportunity. It is displayed as even more commonplace than it is.

Every time the TV crime solvers solve another crime, they meet in their favorite bar and they celebrate. I’m not in law enforcement but, I really hope that is not the common practice in reality. Moreover, I am sure there are those in law enforcement who don’t drink and I wonder how they are treated when I remember how it was for me while in the Marines.

It does make me wonder what might happen if the surgeon started requiring warning labels on bottles and cans of alcoholic beverages. I wonder what might happen if it would become illegal to advertise alcohol on TV. I wonder what might happen if people start becoming shamed for showing scenes of people drinking on TV, especially in a positive way.

I don’t think that will happen. For every ounce of power in our political system that tobacco had, alcohol has a pound, maybe two. It simply won’t happen. Nor will they start trying to tax the industry out of existence as with tobacco.

There is no way I would ever want tobacco to contribute to my income. However, if I were high in the industry of tobacco, I might have a tendency to yell, unfair. Moreover, I think I would have a just reason. Alcohol is much worse and, not only is it not discouraged, but it is encouraged. And yet, no one complains.

Little ol’ me; I really don’t think anyone is going to pay any attention to me, certainly not those who like the sauce, certainly not those who make their fortunes from it. In the meantime, people die from it. People become crippled and maimed in car accidents. Wives and children are abused because of it.

Then again, it’s not the fault of those who make and distribute it. Also, we all know how important the beverages are. Those who partake of them know that they just can’t live without them.

And so it is that we continue to encourage the most costly drug this nation has ever seen.

On the other hand, we sure did take out the tobacco industry, in what, two decades. Maybe it’s time to start suing those making whisky, when someone dies with a bad liver. (Don’t think that will work)

Who Would Have Thought?

Posted in Uncategorized by

One day, as I watched TV, I learned that the Egyptians did brain surgery. I have no idea idea how successful they were, but I guess some got so desperate that they didn’t care.

The thing is, many of the advanced surgical procedures did not become prevalent until well into the last half of the twentieth century. When I was 50, I had a stint put in my heart. In A world just 50 years earlier, I would have likely died, as one of the main arteries to my heart was 90% blocked.

To be truthful, I have definitely benefited from modern medicine. Most recently, about 12 or 14 years ago, I had 4 bypasses in one procedure. When I was in school, I remember news stories speaking of such procedures as being experimental. I am grateful that they had a few decades to refine their methods.

A little while ago, I talked to a man who had a bypass and he showed me his scar. I guess I should say lack of scar. I had to look hard to see it. Kind of makes me wish I could have put my surgery off for a while. My scar is still very easy to see.

Irregardless, one day, modern medicine will not be enough. I will die. It cannot be put off forever. However, when I had the stint installed, I had a heart attack. It was painful and it made me noxious. I was very scared. I thought it was over. I am sure there are those that would argue the point but I felt a presence right next to me. Maybe an angel, or maybe Jesus Himself. Suddenly I felt no fear. I knew right then that if it was my time, I knew I would be with Jesus.

Since that time, I have not ever felt the horrid fear of death as before. I would recommend everyone learn to spend some time with Jesus. The doctor that day fixed my heart. It was Jesus who treated my soul.

He can do that, you know, if you let him.2xx

Daily writing prompt
Have you ever had surgery? What for?
View all responses

The Illusion of the Present

Posted in Uncategorized by

It’s no secret that I’m a lazy procrastinator. I mean, why should I do anything at this moment when I can put it off, perhaps forever? Moreover, if I put something off long enough, maybe someone else will do it. Then again, maybe it really doesn’t need to be done at all.

The thing is, people like me can be pulled into the illusion of the present. It’s the proverbial “Okay so far,” remark of the optimist. Never mind the problems or the dangers that lurk ahead. I am okay and I refuse to concern myself with the future.

I know this attitude has been and will be costly in the future for me. I wish I could change my attitude, but, you know, it’s just me.

As an individual, that’s bad enough. However, when a person holds an office of public responsibility, such as mayor, governor, or president, this can be very costly.

Consider the national debt. “okay so far,” so, naturally, nothing gets done about it. Indeed, they keep adding to it. They have been deceived by the illusion of the present.

I speak of the national debt but it is hardly the only thing that the politicians keep putting off. After all, as long as things last for the remainder of their time in office, it’ll be okay. Whoever inherits the job will inherit the problem. And, invariably, they will find some way of putting it off as did I.

And we, the voters are fooled as well. The politicians say, “All is well,” and we believe them. After all, we do go to work each day. We draw our paycheck. We go to the store where we are able to buy food and other goods. When we toggle that switch, the light comes on. Me, with my wonderful 8,000 BTU AC, am living in more comfort than the kings of centuries past never dreamed of.

What could go wrong. What stupid thing will some stupid politician do that can change all this? Right?

Some Things I Just Hate, for Many Reasons

Posted in Uncategorized by

I decided to charge my almost new Nissan EV. The instant I opened the trunk to get the cable out, I realized the source of that horrid smell I couldn’t help but notice the last 3 or 4 days. There, right next to the charger were the remains of a big black cat.

Stupid cat likely climbed in whilst I had the windows down to cool the interior. I hate when any animal dies. But I also hated dealing with what was left. It almost fell apart when I picked it up. I spent portions of the next hour cleaning it and trying to deal with the smell.

I did hate that it died. And, as I said, I really wished it didn’t climb into the car. I am going to need to really be more careful. Maybe we need screens on car windows. It would be good for keeping flies and skeeters out too. When I leave the windows down, it does seem an instant invite to any little pest with wings.