Author Archives: bfrhodes99

Now What?

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Sometimes things happen in real life that just can’t be imagined. I guess the one thing in my lifetime that I found unbelievable was that planes were actually running into buildings, on purpose. Really airplanes could be used as weapons for killing people, thousands?

Immediately things were changed. The world of travel has undergone a dramatic metamorphosis.

Apparently, those piloting that ship that ran into the Francis Scott Key Bridge did all they could to keep the ship from hitting the bridge, but the damage was still beyond any idea. Two days ago, ships passed back and forth under it. Today, what had been the bridge lies in a long heap, blocking sea traffic and thousands, if not millions are wondering just how they are going to get to where they need to go.

Being a person who prefers to think of the the practical aspects of a problem, I started thinking, What now?

l mean, it was a horrible thing. People died. However, immediately, there must be some thought of the future, short term and long.

I would guess getting that big barrier out of the way of the shipping is probably task one. Then maybe they need to think about the car traffic. Maybe they could find an old ferry boat or two to carry a small part of the traffic. Just how difficult would it be to put a floating bridge in.

Nonetheless, someone, or perhaps several someones will need to start long term plans. It’s well beyond my knowledge level, but whatever they plan should take into mind anything that happens might again happen. Decisions need to be made.

Perhaps plans can be made for barriers. Maybe they can choose a tunnel instead. Hard for a ship to run into a tunnel. On the other hand, the tunnel idea might take far too long.

Regardless, to someone, it is a big question, What now. I would guess, even now, there are those thinking of alternate routes.

Ref post: Ignore CDC

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I said ignore CDC because of all the times they were wrong, not only because of the China virus but also because of what of all the times they were wrong about AIDS. May I say millions died because of all they got wrong with those 2 viruses.

However, here’s the ridiculous part. Did they ever admit to being wrong? No! Did they ever, ever issue any apologies, oral or written? No! Not even a hint of one. They have dug their feet in. Though you figuratively twist arms, they carry on virtually as if nothing ever happened.

Which is, of course, all the more reason to ignore them. Then, when President Trump is in charge again, maybe he can start firing people. Better, completely take them out of the budget.

Accidental Discharge of Revolvers

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I never shot a revolver, though I have shot a number of other weapons. However, one thing I did learn very early about revolvers is to keep the chamber under the hammer empty.

Some time ago, this was brought home to me when I heard on the news of a woman accidentally shooting the man next to her when she set her purse on a counter. The .38, which was in the purse went off and just happened to be pointing in the wrong direction.

Oddly, I have had a few men who should be knowledgeable on the subject, tell me that this won’t happen with the modern revolver. Maybe that is true. I don’t know. Still, if I had a revolver, I’d still follow the old safety rule unless I planned to use it right away.

I just heard another news story of an apparent accidental discharge. The woman claimed she was going through her purse when her gun went off. Regardless of all, the bullet hit and killed her daughter.

I don’t even know what kind of gun it was. However, I do have a tendency to believe it was an accident. I’m sure that doesn’t make the woman feel one bit better.

By keeping the one chamber empty, a person does give up one shot, but it’s far better than an accident, modern revolver or not. Incidentally, the empty chamber does not at all slow reaction time.

As I said, I don’t know fully know the circumstances in this shooting, but the lesson still applies. Please, as appropriate, pass the word. If there is no bullet in the chamber, it makes it awfully difficult for an accident to happen. It just might save a lot of of explaining…and grief.

Maybe I Need Photos

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Generally, my water bill has been running about $50 a month. This last month it was $70. That was a big jump. Rather than fighting city hall, actually the water department, I accepted the weak concept that it was because I left the water running to avoid frozen pipes.

I really didn’t believe it. It’s not the first time I was overcharged. Then today, while mowing, I noticed something. The water meter was covered with fall leaves, untouched for a long time

It reluctantly came to my mind, how was the meter read without disturbing the leaves? Were they put back after reading the meter?

I guess this means I will have to resort to taking photos of the meter regularly. Is this the kind of trust we should have with our utility companies. Maybe. Maybe we should all resort to such things. Then maybe we would not be overcharged.

As locked doors keep honest people honest, photos might keep utility companies honest.

Lazy

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A couple of weeks ago, my son complimented my beard. Actually, I don’t like beards, especially on me. However, I am also lazy. Besides I hate scraping the stubble off. The only reason I had a beard that day was that I forgot to shave it off.

Now that I’m retired, I am less likely to shave, sometimes for weeks at a time. My wife has said nothing about it, which leads me to believe that I should shave very regular.

I have known men that would prefer to lose their left foot as to have to shave. I do find that odd as beards usually grow back while feet don’t.

I considered writing about the beard earlier. I also considered not writing about it at all. I mean, as subjects go, beards are not at the top of the points of interest.

I did know one guy who shaved his beard every spring and let it grow back in the fall. He claimed it helped him keep his face warm. I suppose there might be a little truth in that. It does seem to me that more beards can be found north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Regardless of anything else, they don’t cost as much as shaving. A ton of money has ben made off those who shave.

Drones?

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Just found out, according to an Air Force general, there are approx 1000 drone encounters a month on the southern border. That is a totally incomplete report. It serves very little purpose. I was but a S/Sgt in the Marines but I can easily, see there are far too many questions left open.

It’s just wrong that the man got off with such an inept delineation. Where were they? What size payload might they have? Might they be carrying drugs? (Even 1 pound of fentenyl could be devastating.) Were any destroyed? Why not? Might they have been carrying explosives? (1 lb can destroy a truck.)

As with all else in this command of Old Joe’s, no one cares until it shows up on the 5:00 news, if then.

Humorus Things, Usually

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When I was in Marine boot camp, I laughed at the confession I was in. The man next to me warned me that if the D.I. saw me I’d be in trouble. I replied, “If I don’t laugh I’d have to cry.” He looked at me as if I were nuts, which of course, I was. No one, but no one wanted to be caught laughing without permission.

Of course there are many other things that prompt me to laugh. Children are my favorite. Unfortunately, I am not around them all that much anymore. It’s one of the disadvantages of getting old.

Dogs, cats and occasionally birds make me laugh. My border collie loved to chase remote control cars, big bouncy balls and bubbles. He would chase them until he could hardly stand. Others watched him too and laughed. I have already said how I love to watch the cats chase lasers.

I like a good comedy movie. As I’ve said, I’ve seen Kelly’s Heroes at least a dozen times and just thinking of some parts make me laugh. Then there is Paleface with Bob Hope and Support Your Local Sheriff with James Garner.

A good joke will cause me to laugh while the dirty ones just turn my stomach. Sometimes, the right phrase will cause me and others to laugh. Today, I noticed some people in a restaurant slightly laughing. I looked over at the the total strangers and cautioned them that they were having entirely too much fun. We all laughed, especially them. Obviously I am not very good at quelling an outbreak of laughter.

I guess the little heading that was in Readers Digest is valid. Laughter is the Best Medicine. I always feel better after a good laugh. I think most of us do.

Daily writing prompt
What makes you laugh?
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