Monthly Archives: July 2024

Just a Little Speculation

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We are cautioned about speculation. If it isn’t in the Bible, we shouldn’t try to answer the question. So, we are left hanging without answers. I certainly don’t have the answers. The fact is, I don’t even have all the questions. Nonetheless, lets look at a few questions and some facts associated them.

Perhaps the two most asked questions are interrelated. Why did God permits someone like Hitler to live while he He permits the death of some innocent two or three year old? You might want to remember, Hitler and all those like him were at one time innocent one-year-olds.

Yeah. That one causes me confusion too. I have seen many wonderful men die in the prime of their life. On the other hand, I have seen some survive well into old age that should have never survived their teens. We are given something of a peek into this. The king of the Jews was going to die and God told him he would. The king pointed out all the good that he did and asked to live a little while longer. God granted his prayer and he lived longer. During this time, in his pride the king showed the treasures of silver and gold to the king of Babylon. God’s judgment was that Judah would be captured by Babylon.

The Bible makes it reasonably clear that if the king had died when he was originally going to die, he would have not shown the treasures to the king of Babylon and Judah would not have had the judgment pronounced on them.

Sometimes, people are taken early to keep them from doing something bad. Don’t jump to conclusions. I am not saying if someone dies early, he or she was going to do something bad. If God always took people early before they did bad things, Hitler would not have ever started WW II. God would have taken him 6 or 7 years earlier. The irony, several attempts were made to kill Hitler and failed.

However, let’s speculate what might have happened if God caused the death of Hitler, perhaps right after WW I? Hitler would have never started WW II and the world would have been far better off, or at least that is the way it appears. That is only speculation and we need to be careful about speculating.

However, we can look at a fact. If Hitler died 20 years earlier, he would have been thought of as, perhaps a good man. Then they would have wondered why God permitted the death of such a good man. If I might, sometimes the difference between a man being good or bad is a matter of time, perhaps just a few years.

It can happen the other way. Paul, in the Bible, was a murderer. He coordinated the murders of many Christians to the point that the Christians were very much afraid of him. Then, Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus and we benefited with one of the great writers of the Bible.

God knew He did not want to kill Paul for his sin. He had plans for him. If you had asked the Christians of the time, they would have likely wanted to say God made really bad mistake.

I don’t know why God takes those he takes early. I don’t know why he allows others to live into old age. There are many that I wish God had let them live. My mother died at 49. Three of my brothers died while in their early forties. Two died of brain cancer. Certainly, why cancer. I don’t have a clue. I don’t even have a speculation.

If it had been my decision, they would have lived much longer.

About ten or twelve years after we moved in here, a couple moved in next door. They seemed the ideal young couple. They had a baby that appeared to be walking in a month or so. One day I heard some yelling and screaming out front. I went out and looked and the woman was in the street yelling. Her baby died, a crib death.

Do I go to her and tell her that God had a good reason to take him? The question is ludicrous. So much, I wished I could say or do something to comfort her. I just stood there helpless. Anything I did or said would just make things worse.

A short time later, the couple moved out. I hated to see that but I could understand. She was asking why? and she was finding no answer. I didn’t see the man much, but I’m sure he was hurting too.

Invariably, people go to preachers thinking they can say the right things. They can’t. I was five when my mother died and the only thing I heard from everyone was, I’m so sorry. I really wished they would stop it. It just made it worse.

The thing about death is that it doesn’t just hurt the dying, but the living too.

It makes me wonder. If Hitler had died as a two or three year old, do you suppose his mother would have understood it was for the good of the world?

I don’t think I answered any questions. Maybe I raised some new ones. These two things I do know though. The only thing we can take with us to heaven is our children. It would be a good idea to make sure they know they are saved. By the way, it would be a good idea to know you are saved too. How horrible would it be for them to go to heaven and find out their mother or father isn’t there.

‘S Wonderful

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It’s the name of a song from the musical Funny Face by George Gershwin. It was recorded by many people. If you look it up on the web, you’ll see. It’s really a nice upbeat song I enjoy listening to. I hope no one will mind me borrowing the song title. After all, I am providing some free positive advertising. Maybe a few will buy it.

Now. To get back to the subject at hand, making the world just a little bit more wonderful. It is a good thing to do. It is more better than stealing. It is more betterer than murdering. It is definitely much more betterer than causing war as Old Joe did. Some folks don’t seem to understand that. During Old Joe’s term in office, thievery has gone out of control. Rapers and murderers are being imported.

If I could, I would stop that. Actually, by writing this blog, I am doing about all I can as an old man can. That may not make me a great, but I think it does do a little good. I like to think it might change something here and there for the good. It would really be ‘S Wonderful if I can change many lives, maybe by the dozens. Maybe by the hundreds. Not likely, but hopefully by the thousands.

To be sure, that would all be good. However, what would make me really feel great if I ever found out that my words are helping people, at least one person would learn the plan of salvation and accept Jesus as their savior and their friend. Now to me, that makes it all worth the effort and then some. It would be ‘S Wonderful.

Daily writing prompt
What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world?
View all responses

My Wallet

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Perhaps, not as much as I get older. Many moons ago, I had orders to go to Japan. I started the trip by going about 50 miles to an Air Force base in Southern California. I left in plenty of time to make it. However, that changed in a micro-second when I noticed I had left my wallet at home.

It was very close to being the most panicked as I ever was. It was a time I really didn’t need my driver’s license that much as I would not need it for a long time. However, it had my military ID. That is no minor oops.

My orders had an emergency number on it to call should I not be able to arrive on time. I called it. I explained my situation to the understanding woman. She calmed my nerves and said, it was okay. There was actually some slack time built into the orders. She told me I had plenty of time to return home and get my wallet. I did it and actually still had to wait a short time for my plane after I arrived at the air base.

It is perhaps one of the biggest arguments against public transportation. Had I taken a bus, I would have had to leave the wallet behind. Returning to my house would not have been an option. My wallet would have stayed in the US while I went to Japan.

I seldom go anywhere without my wallet. It has become more attached to me than my cell phone and that is saying a lot. Even so, any time I forget it or misplace it, it generates an instant empty feeling in my belly.

Even so, I guess my nephew topped me. My nephew, after finishing Army boot camp was coming home when pick-pocketed. He told me about it. They didn’t get anything. He had some of his money in a shirt pocket, some in his socks, some here, some there. He laughed it off. There was no money, no credit cards. He did report the incident to the police, but all he had to replace were his military ID, his driver’s license and his social security card. Well, he did need to get another wallet. However, a couple of weeks later, the wallet was found and returned, with the social security card, license and military ID.

His method did make me think a little. Like maybe I should carry my wallet as a prop and carry my money and such hidden elsewhere, maybe in my sock. I decided against that. I guess old habits are hard to change. I don’t totally know why, but it gives me a little comfort when I pat that rear pocket and I feel the wallet there.

Daily writing prompt
What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?
View all responses

The Secret to Hitting the Target

Posted in Christian values, Fast Food by

When I was seven or eight, I got a gift of a bow and arrows. They were safe. They had the little suction cups on them. I don’t know why I got the gift. I never showed any interest in them. Nonetheless, I did mess with them from time-to-time and got pretty good with them, as long as I was less than about 20 yards from the targets that were furnished with it.

It was not long that I figured out the secret to hitting the target every time. I had to aim high. I guess at 20 yards or so, I had to aim about 4 or 5 feet above the target.

Though I had no idea of it at the time, there is a reason for this. An arrow dropped from 5 feet above the ground falls at the same speed as an arrow shot level from a bow. Many have actually done experiments to prove this with very complex and accurate equipment.

Moreover, no matter how far the arrow is drawn, it is the same. That is to say, the arrow falls at the same speed regardless of the forward speed of the arrow. It just is that a fast arrow has less time to drop before reaching the target.

Therefore, even the most experienced archer will aim high, or above the target. Just how high the archer needs to aim depends on the forward speed of the arrow and the distance of the target. The speed only figures in because the faster the arrow goes, the less time the arrow has to drop.

This is not only true with arrows but with all projectiles. I can’t remember what it was, but it seemed to me that when I fired my M-14, the bullet dropped about 4 to 5 inches on the way to that target 500 meters away. So, if I was to hit the bullseye, I had to aim high.

It was, more-or-less, done for me. I had a little wheel I turned to adjust the sights up and down. I didn’t have to do the math. If I was hitting low, I adjusted the wheel one way. If I was hitting high, I adjusted the other way. Hence I was able to put the bullet through the bullseye regularly from 500 meters. Those that don’t know, that is about 550 yards.

It’s no wonder that rifle knew how to kick.

As I think back over it, I kind of get the idea that it is where we got the expression, “Aim high.” I think it is a good thing to do, both on and off the range. I guess way back when, it was sort of the common thing to teach. Not so much anymore.

I said all that to say this, I noticed that McDonald’s fell short of their Q2 estimates (AKA target sales). It doesn’t surprise me. I am sure I am not the only one that figured it was going to happen. You see, almost all customers have the option of going somewhere else… somewhere where the service is faster and the food is better, AKA hot instead of lukewarm.

A few years ago, my water heater went out. I called a plumber to replace it. In the past, they treated me good and had reasonable prices. The woman at the other end of the phone started trying to talk me into a service plan. I went back and forth a few times. I explained why I don’t buy service plans. I was very patient with her, really. Finally, plainly, I said, one more word about service plans and I hang up.

Someone else got my business. I don’t know who that woman was on the other side of the phone but she forgot one important fact of business. The customer can always hang up, and I did.

The real problem with these businesses is simple. They decided that they do not need to aim high.

We went to Burger King this afternoon. I felt like having a fish sandwich and they have very good fish sandwiches; or at least I think so. I ordered two fish sandwiches, one medium fry, a large onion ring, (don’t care too much for their fries) and two large Diet Cokes. I also told her that one of the sandwiches needs to be mustard and ketchup only. My wife does not like tarter sauce. Don’t have a clue why. That stuff is good.

You would not have a clue how many times I had to go through all that. First, she tried to sell me the meals. I told her, I don’t care how you write it up. Then I went back through the whole thing. She was apparently having a difficult time getting the register to accept that. I haven’t an idea why.

At any rate, having it my way is a nice saying, but in this case, maybe not so much. She read the order back and it was wrong, believe it or not. Why does this restaurant say I can have it my way and have so much difficulty figuring out a simple order. I can’t imagine what might happen if I ordered a dozen Whoppers, each to be made in a different way.

I am a patient man. Really I am. Moreover, I did want that fish sandwich. Still, if she got the order wrong one more time, I think I would have turned around and walked out. Actually, the girl was trying. It was her training. Somehow, when they came up with their neat little saying, they forgot to tell her. They have this “meal thing” on their minds and they don’t like it when a person comes in and asks to have it their way.

To their credit, they did get the order right. It was ready in about 3 minutes, great in my book. and the food was burn your mouth hot, especially the onion rings. It makes me, all the more, wish I could get them to get over this meal thing. Just maybe they can aim a little higher and actually practice their saying.

Before I left, I thanked them for a hot meal and told them that they had permission to have a nice day. After all. They did serve me good food promptly. More than I can expect from McDonald’s.

By the way, if you want a good fish sandwich, Burger King is a good place. If all you want is a whopper, those are good too.

My One Year Evaluation on the Nissan EV

Posted in Electectric vehicles, Electric Automobiles, Uncategorized by

So many things to say and I have no idea where to start. So I guess I will just start.

First, I would not recommend this car as a primary family vehicle. If It truly had a 210 mile maximum range, maybe. However, this is optimistic at best. If the weather is good, it would likely make it. However, on warm or cold days, the electric power of the environment system would use maybe 10 to 15 percent of the battery power, more for short trips. I will say, I wished I had the resources to buy the model that had the 300 mile range. It also had hands free driving. Unfortunately, it cost 10,000 more, which I did not have.

A minor point, but very important point. They highly recommend that you don’t charge the battery past 80% and that you don’t recharge it until it is below 20%. This means, if you follow the recommendations, you need to stay within the 60% in between. Moreover, they recommend you don’t use the high speed charger too frequently. The batteries last longer when they are charged slowly.

Now let’s say you want to use the car to drive back and forth to work. You start out with a full battery and when you get back home, you check the battery. 48%. Now, do you recharge early or do you just run out of energy on the way home from work the next day? I don’t know about you, but I would recharge the battery every day.

The above assumes that you left to work on the first day with a full battery. If you start out with 80%, then when you arrive home, you will only have about 20%. I guess that makes it work. Still, I’d just as soon not cut it that close. Given the number of chargers around, I get nervous when the indicator shows I have less that 40%. Besides, it all needs to be recalculated if you get the 300 mile model.

Now. Let’s look at another scenario. Your car has 41%. You need to go on a 50 mile trip. That means you will need to go 100 miles total. Do you want to recharge the battery before you leave, early. Or do you recharge it before you leave. If you recharge to 80%. then you will have 120 mile range. That will give you a forty mile margin. If you follow the guidelines, you start off on your trip and drive there and half way back. Sorry.

For me, and likely many retired people like me, it’s a good car. I think I spend about half what I would spend on gas. I don’t change oil or change engine air filters. I don’t know what a filter goes for nowadays, but I would guess I could go a few hundred miles by paying for the electricity instead.

Don’t make any mistakes. The original cost of the car is a lot. You will have to drive a lot of miles to save enough to overcome the original difference in cost. If I had bought the equivalent gas powered car, I think I would have saved about 15 thousand give or take.

For me, I did the right thing. It is what I wanted and I’d do the same today. However, I would have done it much differently. I would have made sure I could charge the car at a Tesla charger. Moreover, if possible, I would have bought a smaller car. It would have been less expensive on the front end and would use less electricity. With just the two of us, we don’t need anything that big.

Considering I am retired, a smaller car would have been fine for us. Perhaps the one thing I really like the most is that, the first time I raised the hood was to put window washer solution in it. That was about 10 months after I bought it. I charge it. I drive it. That’s pretty nice. I guess it will be a while before I lift the hood again. If you like a car that does not need a whole lot of maintenance, it’s just almost perfect. My guess is that I won’t ever replace the battery. I doubt I will live that long. If I do, it will likely be 7 or 8 years. I will be over 80. I don’t know if I’ll still be driving.

I do find some to the controls frustrating. Operation of the cruise control does still aggravate me from time to time. I turn it on and let up on the “gas” and the car starts slowing. Then I realize, I forgot to turn copilot thing on first. Or, maybe I forget and turn the copilot thing off, thinking I am turning it on. I still don’t know about some of the controls. Learning how to charge the car off my house current was a hit and miss thing that really caused me a lot of grief. They should have told me how or they should have made it easier. At least they could provide a small pamphlet explaining it.

You might think this trivial, but, to me it is frustrating. The cup holders in the console are one in front of the other, not side by side. Okay. That hardly deserves a mention. The problem is that with them as they are, my wife keeps stealing my drink. Then she gets angry when I correct her.

Speaking of consoles. There is hardly any storage in it. Maybe they couldn’t put any more storage there. It just is, if there is going to be a console that large, it would be nice to have some storage in it. If not, do away with it. As something of a big man, I’d just as soon have the space.

I don’t know about others, but I find it difficult to enter destinations into the GPS system. It seems to assume I know the address of the destination. As an aside, it was of very little use when I tried to find the Social Security office in Hernando. I spent 45 minutes looking for the place.

I guess I can’t complain a lot about that. When I mentioned it to people at the Social Security office, they said everyone else that uses a GPS has the same problem. The crazy thing kept sending me down I-55 to Coldwater. I used a lot of battery trying to find that place.

The car heats up to 120-130 degrees in the hot sun. Nothing new there. However, it really taxes the air-conditioner for a while. Maybe a good exhaust fan would be in order to run 90 degree air though it for 5-6 minutes. It would also use a lot less energy. Much more efficient to cool 90 degree air than 120 degree air…faster too.

I will say this about the car. With the environment system off, with the radio off, when I go down the road, it seems I am coasting. I don’t hear anything but the air going by at 70 mph. (well maybe 72)

There is one more thing I am eventually going to have to find out. How much the windshield will cost. I didn’t even see it happen. However some rock came in contact with the window and don’t like that. They didn’t even let the car last out the year. It’s just not right.

Just thought of two more things I wish they put on the car that wouldn’t have cost them much. First, a readout on the current cabin temperature. Not much but I guess I will need to buy something.

Second, while the car is charging, there is no way to see the charge level without turning the car on. Sort of inconvenient.

It does make me wonder, did they leave these things off out of choice or did they just not think of it? Would they pay any attention to me if I suggested it?

I Wish He Would… Wish He Could

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Kamala keeps saying that Trump will do away with Obama care. If he did, I will go out in the streets and celebrate. In my mind it is the worse thing that hit this nation since 9/11. I have a memory, you see. The only way that it was passed in the first place is by bribe. I remember the day.

I don’t like the law. It’s dumb. It is expensive to me and many of us. It cost me $30,000. I don’t like the way it was passed. I will be thrilled the day it is overturned. Better it be gone forever and a day, or three.

All Interest Gone

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There was a time I followed the Olympics closely and daily. In recent years, my interest has been decreasing. It wasn’t intentional. I had little reason. It just is that it fell in my priorities over the years.

Had it not been for the news reports, I would not have even known about the opening ceremony with all the homosexual ideas. I still know little of them. Whatever, the Lord does not need any defense from me. Each and every person will answer individually. There is no doubt in my my mind. God can and will deal with each of them as He knows best. He needs no advice from me.

However, one thing is clear to me is that, now, I have no interest at all in the Olympics. There is no reason I should. No reason I will. It is of little or no concern to me who wins what medals in what games. Why should I? I see not reason for any of us should.