My Last Post

I’ve already sent instructions not to renew my subscription. They tell me it will remain active until May. I have enjoyed writing, I hope you have and will continue to enjoy them until they take them down.

In the meantime, you can still order my books from Amazon.Com from my author’s page http://www.amazon.com/author/story_teller Note, there is an underline between story and teller that is not easily seen. One of the reasons I am retreating from blogging is to allow me to finish the two books I almost have finished and to continue to polish the more than 35 already done.

As with my posts, they are varied in subject matter and type. You won’t find any profanity. Most of the books are limited violence. With the exception of the Kip Series, 12 and 13-year-olds should not have any problems with them. However, these three books are good thoughtful books that have their share of twists. In them, poor Kip wants to remain an optimist, but the killers just won’t let him. He’s in the wrong kind of work. He can’t stand murders, especially kids. The murderers over time turn him into an outright pessimist.

Just a Little EV Thing

Just a small matter really, but I figure I should alert anyone that has or is thinking of buying an electric vehicle. One thing that helps the milage for EVs is that they, most of them, pump electricity back into the batteries when slowing or going downhill. Even on my short trips, my car will generally put 1 or 2 miles back in the battery while slowing. So if I drive 10 miles, I might only pay for 8 or 9 of them.

However, that can’t happen if your battery is already fully charged. The is another good reason to refrain from fully charging your battery. Naturally, if you are on a cross-country trip, this very well may not apply.

Personally, I try to keep my battery between 35 and 90%. Because a full charge on my car is approximately 200 miles, I just double the percent to determine my range. Nissan has told me that I should let it go down to 20%. However, I don’t like being limited to 40 miles should there be an emergency. Worse, it would take me at least two full days to recharge my car from 20 up to 80% on 110 volts. If I need to drive every day, that means interruptions in charging with discharges, which is also not recommended.

Sometimes reality does get in the way of those ideals.

On the speculation front… I wonder how long it will take before people start selling auxiliary battery packs to give cars, maybe those extra few 40 miles. Now doubt in my mind, it will happen. It is just a matter of what form it will take.

Speaking of Microwaves

Microwaves have a way of creating memorable mishaps in kitchens everywhere. Almost everyone has a cautionary tale about an accidental metal-related incident. The surprising truth is that aluminum foil can actually spark and ignite when placed inside these seemingly harmless appliances, a discovery that can instantly elevate one’s heart rate and create a moment of pure kitchen panic.

In the realm of workplace mishaps, some stories stand out for their peculiar nature. This secondhand tale involves a night shift worker with an unconventional approach to microwave popcorn preparation. Rather than using the timer, he would set the cooking time generously long and rely on auditory cues to know when the kernels finished popping.

One fateful evening, a momentary distraction disrupted his routine, resulting in a burning disaster. The microwave was swiftly replaced, but the pungent aroma of scorched popcorn lingered throughout the lobby and adjacent offices for nearly a week, serving as a reminder of the importance of attentiveness during even the most mundane tasks.

The incident became a cautionary tale, swiftly transforming the individual’s reputation and serving as a lasting lesson for future team members. The story spread quickly, becoming a legendary warning passed down to each new recruit, ensuring the embarrassing moment would never be forgotten or repeated.

Embellished but True

Humor often fails, so I resort to raw honesty. The frozen food anecdote I shared earlier is entirely factual. In truth, I was fully prepared, anticipating someone would eventually probe deeper into the story, waiting for that precise moment of inquiry.

During my single years, frozen dinners were a culinary lifesaver. My freezer was stocked with an array of ready-to-heat meals, each offering a convenient solution to hunger. Back then, before microwaves became ubiquitous, I would patiently wait 35 minutes while my dinner transformed from a solid block of ingredients into a steaming, edible meal. These pre-prepared dishes were not just food, but a testament to the convenience of modern cuisine.

I continue to keep these items in my freezer, enjoying them after heating. Yet, the cooking time has significantly decreased from thirty minutes to merely seven minutes. This rapid transformation creates an unusual experience. Previously, I was unbothered by longer preparation times. Now, the brief seven-minute interval is too short to engage in other activities, a phenomenon I refer to as the “microwave effect.”

In the era of instant gratification, traditional cooking methods like slow roasting have given way to microwave convenience. We impatiently hover near the appliance, eyes wandering, fingers drumming, eagerly anticipating the shrill beep that signals our meal is ready in mere minutes.

Microwaves have become an indispensable kitchen appliance, with nearly every household boasting at least one. Their convenience and speed have transformed how we prepare meals, making them an essential part of modern culinary life.

Still, we continue to wait.

My Secret About Frozen Food

The truth I’ve long concealed will finally be revealed. By reading these words, you are about to uncover a hidden story that has remained silent until this moment.

The woman recoiled, her nose wrinkling with disdain as she uttered the cutting remark, “Don’t tell me you actually eat frozen dinners?”

“I leaned in closer, my voice a hushed whisper. ‘Swear you’ll keep this between us.'”

Her eyes darted nervously as she leaned in close, whispering with fierce determination, “Not a single person will ever know.”

I cleared my throat and clarified, “I prefer to heat them up first.” I hesitated, then added, “Their too hard for me to bite when they’re completely frozen.”

My aversion to frozen dinners stems from a hidden truth, yet I unabashedly indulge in the occasional frozen dessert.

Four Possibilities I Know of

There is much speculation about the leak. Naturally, there is no way we will likely ever know what really happened. How-some-ever, I figure there are at least four real possibilities. Then too, there might be one or three possibilities I haven’t considered.

First, it might be as it seems. Sometimes things do work that way. Still I do have some problems with that. The one method I am leaning on is that it was intentional, either by the president or the Sec. of Defense. It would be easy to do and it is a good way to mix things up and see what comes out. Moreover, it is a good way to feed bad information to the opponent. Or they might be feeding them accurate info and making them think it’s wrong.

Third, the meeting might have been a hoax. The real meeting could have been held earlier without the extra guest. It is possible and very plausible. A good general will always be trying to distribute bad info to the opponent. If nothing else, it will make the opposing generals suspicious of his sources.

Finally, there might not have ever been a meeting. It might have just been a test of the messaging system to see how reliable it is. If this be the case, I don’t think that method will be used in any real communications.

In any case, what Trump should have done is to say the man was just following orders to invite the other man on. He could have said, “My idea; my responsibility.” It would have ended right there.

Missed my Chance at a Million

I’ve developed an innovative personal hygiene product called the Sneeze Pad, a groundbreaking solution designed to enhance public health and personal safety. The concept features an elegantly simple design that can be easily manufactured, with potential for aesthetic refinement and customization. This practical invention addresses the growing need for immediate sneeze containment and could revolutionize personal protective equipment.

A compact, ergonomic protective shield designed for personal hygiene during respiratory events. Measuring approximately 3 by 4 inches, this innovative device features adjustable wrist straps for secure forearm attachment. The surface is covered with a specialized, adhesive-backed material treated with advanced antimicrobial agents. When a user experiences a sneeze or cough, they can direct respiratory droplets onto the pad, where the chemically treated fabric immediately captures and neutralizes potential pathogens, preventing their spread and maintaining a hygienic environment.

In the aftermath of the global health crisis, my innovative solution remains unrecognized. Despite its potential to save countless lives, the moment has passed. While pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and medical facilities capitalized on the pandemic’s urgency, my breakthrough idea sits unrealized. The opportunity for recognition and potential financial success has slipped away, leaving me with a sense of missed potential and unfulfilled promise.

On the other hand, the pharmaceutical companies are still making their fortunes off me. Since I took the vaccine, I’ve had at least three blood clots. So now I take this medication that makes my nose bleed. I do put up with the nose bleeds so I don’t have any more blood clots. Oh, and by the way, I pay almost a hundred dollars a month, this after Medicare and auxiliary insurance.

It appeared that nearly everyone prospered during the pandemic, except for those like myself who continued to struggle with lingering health complications. While some found opportunity and resilience, I couldn’t ignore the profound loss experienced by those who succumbed to the virus and the families left behind to grieve.

The Slip & Slide

The other day when I wrote about things that make me laugh, I did leave a big one out that I did remember. When the kids were young, we frequently went to see the local team, The Memphis Chicks.

During our time at the ballpark, we were fortunate to witness several exceptional talents, including the remarkable pitcher David Cone. From the moment I first saw him play, I was convinced he was destined for a stellar career in the major leagues.

If my memory is correct, we attended a baseball game, eagerly anticipating David Cone’s pitching performance. His reputation on the mound drew us to the stadium, hoping to witness his skill and precision in action.

In the midst of a typical Memphis downpour, the groundskeepers swiftly unfurled the protective tarp across the baseball diamond. Somewhere around the fourth inning, Cone, with a burst of playful energy, took a running start and dramatically slid across the rain-soaked tarp, creating a moment of unexpected levity during the weather delay.

As the thunderous applause erupted, he rose triumphantly, arms raised in a victorious gesture. Suddenly, the umpires burst onto the scene, their stern expressions cutting through the celebration, swiftly guiding him away from the tarp with sharp, authoritative gestures.

As the umpires retreated, Cone glanced over his shoulder, then back at the tarp. Suddenly, he sprinted toward the plastic covering, sliding with even more enthusiasm than before. Drenched from head to toe, he was clearly reveling in the moment until the umpires charged after him, shouting and gesturing emphatically.

David Cone’s daring slides captivated the crowd, each one more audacious than the last. Despite the umpires’ apparent frustration, their reactions seemed suspiciously choreographed, as if part of an unspoken performance. His bold maneuvers, while technically questionable, were executed with such flair that even the officials appeared more bemused than truly angry. The electric atmosphere of those moments was infectious, stirring a vicarious thrill that some spectators likely yearned to join the spectacle, to feel the rush of defying convention on the baseball diamond.

I vividly recall the event, certain that a recording must exist somewhere. Upon returning home, the scene unfolded on television with an almost choreographed precision. Despite extensive online research, I couldn’t definitively verify Cone’s involvement. If anyone has concrete information, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Seeking insights on the potential pricing of tarps and exploring a modest revenue opportunity through slide-based services.

Who’s the Real Loser?

Is it likely that the federal government will adopt Signal as a secure communication platform in the future?

If you are the one in charge of finding a secure messaging system for your corporation, are you going to chose Signal.

If Trump harbored animosity toward Signal, his actions could potentially inflict significant damage on the organization.

Signal’s credibility seems irreparably damaged, leaving little reason for users to maintain trust in the platform.

Morning Rituals?

I rarely do anything in the morning. All my life, I worked nights. Unless there is a specific reason, I don’t do mornings and neither does my wife. Now that we are retired, we have that option.

Unfortunately, there are things for which I much awake early, a doctor appointment or to have my car serviced for instance. I might be able to get someone to take my car to have it serviced but I must always be present during my doctor appointments.

I have always felt it was unfair that the world would make those of us working at night bend our schedule to the world’s schedule. I mean, if I must go in at 8 or 9, that is the middle of my sleeping time. Then to make matters worse, if I get done around noon, I don’t even have the option of trying to recover the sleep I missed. By the time I get a chance to catch up on my sleep, I’m about to fall over in my tracks before getting home.

Daily writing prompt
What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?