Smiles

Went to Burger King today. First time in a week we went anywhere to eat, being as I had been sick. They had a big poster up for Halloween and I complemented the person I saw there on it. It surprised me. She got a great big smile and said thank you.

Did not know it meant so much. Maybe she was the one that picked it out. And by the way, it was a very nice poster.

Nonetheless, it did bring to mind something. Isn’t it nice to bring such a big smile with such a little gesture?

It never added one penny to the woman’s salary, but I guess, it still made her feel better. And you know what? It made me feel better too. Wish it was so easy to make make everyone feel a little better. Maybe it is, when we know the right thing to say or do.

The Side Effects

Just saw an interesting story on TV. The headline basically was that Tennessee was falling short on tax projected revenues. Why should this be a surprise to anyone? Yet it is. Some people just don’t get it. When the economy is good, tax revenues will be good. When the economy goes into the tank, then so will the revenues, being as most revenues in some way, are based on trade.

During President Trump’s early presidency, the economy and revenues were up, even at the state and local levels. Then along came the virus and the economy was partially shut down. Soon after, the revenues were dramatically reduced.

Surprise, surprise. The only way to truly increase revenue is to improve the economy. True; increases in taxes will temporarily increase revenue. However, in the long term, the economy determines the revenues. When taxes are too high, it chokes the economy and discourages production, enterprise, and, of course, buying.

Certainly other factors contributed: riots, mass looting in stores, intentional increases in energy prices and increases in tax rates contributed to economic downturns.

However, I put the primary cause on Fauci, who provided economic support to the development of the China virus, as well as making one decision after the next that resulted in disaster after disaster. However, the damage that Fauci caused did not stop in our pocketbooks. Many can attest to the horrid damage in human lives as well.

That for Which I am Thankful

Daily writing prompt
What are you most proud of in your life?

I am thankful for a family that provided for me and guidance in my early life. I am thankful for the Marines, which taught me many things that I have needed throughout my life. I am very grateful to be an American, where, at least for now, I have more rights and protection than any nation that ever existed.

Proud is a word I use very reluctantly. First, I have very little to be proud of. Secondly, it sorta gets in the way when I want to make a real self evaluation.

By the way, I do have a very extensive list of things I am truly thankful for. Certainly right at the top, is my salvation, which Jesus provided me, before I asked for it and totally without my help. I assure you, pride only delayed it, as at one time I believed I could do it on my own.

Work Stoppage

Daily writing prompt
What have you been working on?

As some of you are well aware, I have been working on the weeds in my back yard. They got out of hand when the China virus took hold of me, twice. Now, as I have the finish line in sight, I’m sick again, likely with the same stuff.

Why isn’t that so-called scientists, Fauci, in an orange jump suit and behind high walls? At the least, that cancel culture needs to cancel him.

The Deceit is in How You Ask the Question

This evening I happened to land on Scriptts News Channel where they were declaring some things true and some things false. They presented the question and in an objective way they declared whether the the answer was true or false.

One question I found particularly interesting was, and I must quote this loosely as I did not have paper and pen at the time, Is the 3.2% COLA adjustment historically low this year?

I suspect the question should have been and likely was, was the COLA adjustment really reflective of the cost of living. Most of us could care less about past COLA adjustments. What we are concerned with is does the 3.2% really reflect the increase in the cost of living?

Naturally those representing Scriptts said that the COLA is relatively high compared with the last +- 14 years, which is true. However, they completely sidestepped the answer to the the real question.

And, by the way, I can answer that question. It was low this year and it was low last year. Both years combined is about ten percent, a little more. However, I cannot buy as many groceries with $200 that I use to pay $100 for. I take my car in for a repair that used to cost $600 and it cost $1100 or $1200. I had a battery replaced on my car and it cost $250. It was not that long ago they cost $30. Going out to eat costs more too, but, percentage wise, not as much as the groceries. And, oh yes. Let us not forget gas. If I weren’t retired, I don’t know if I could afford to get back and forth to work. (or I’d have to bicycle)

Every place you turn, the prices have doubled or nearly in the last two yours. And the COLA has gone up but 10%. Just try to tell me that Old Joe has us poor folks at heart. That is a bad joke. A joke because it is not true. Bad because it affects those that can afford it the least.

I can put up with the decrease in my spending power. However, I cannot and will not tolerate them insulting my intelligence. It is but one more reason I call them dems and it is but one more reason I call him Old Joe. And, if this keeps up, I will use all lower case letters when writing of him. If a leader will not respect those he leads, then he does not deserve our respect either, no matter his position.

My afterthought. The inflation caused by the dems and Old Joe has not only driven up the cost of living in the US, but globally. The price spent on oil went up globally, not just here. Hence, it went up in the poorer countries where they hurt even more than in the US. The only ones he helped were Iran and Putin. Well, I am sure he helped his own finances and his family’s.

An Especially Lazy Day

This evening, I sat down at the computer and ordered pizza from Domino’s. Being as I do jump on places for especially poor service, I feel it only right to compliment good service. In this case, they actually managed to surprise me. It arrived good and hot in less than 20 minutes.

However, I do have one complaint. My wife kept stealing the pineapple and pepperoni from the pizza. Next time I will order 2 separate pizzas.

I would complain to my wife, but that bovine has already escaped. No sense waking that grizzly.

Interesting Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s something most people don’t know about you?

If it is something most people don’t know, just maybe it is something I would just as soon most people don’t know. Sounds very much like an encouragement to get me to say or do something I rarely would want to do.

If anyone wants to know most of my history and beliefs, my posts will tell most of what I am or want to be. It’s better that I not repeat it here.

Touching All the Bases

I saw an unusual play the other day in a baseball game. The one at bat hit a very long fly ball. The man at first rounded second as the ball was caught. Instantly, the runner returned to first, apparently in plenty of time.

Then, shortly thereafter, the runner was called out. For what reason you might ask? Because he didn’t touch 2nd base on the way back to 1st.

I must admit it caught me by surprise. I wasn’t aware of the rule. Moreover I had no idea of the runner’s mistake.

I instantly thought that there should be a real object lesson there, though I am having trouble determining what it might be. I thought about the figurative bases that I missed from time to time during my life. Indeed, it seems there is a saying, “Remember to touch all the bases.”

It sounds like a good idea. I guess it means we should pay attention to the details. It sounds like a good idea to me. I have seen, from time-to-time people incredibly detail oriented. As a person only “big picture” oriented, I must say I have always admired those who really paid attention to details.

Looking back on the base runner, I suspect that he wished he had been a little more detail oriented. It does make me wonder if he was aware about the rule. I mean, he was a major league player. You would think someone would have told him. Maybe not. Regardless, he could have avoided the out, not to mention a bunch of embarrassment had he touched second on the way back to first.

Let’s extend the saying a little. Consider the home run. The home run is not complete until the hitter touches every base. Moreover, all those on base must touch the base in order and in sequence. The hitter may not go to 3rd or 2nd before 1st.

Odd how much baseball is like life. Maybe that’s a good reason for boys to play baseball. It sorta teaches them a little about life.

I was thankful that I was able to play. It taught me a lot about baseball… and life.

Let’s Just Say, Not so Smart

I watched Old Joe’s speech tonight and I must admit, he did seem well aware of what was going on. It was delivered at a good cadence and seemed almost believable. His problem is this. I remember what things were like before he started messing things up on day 1 in office. Every one of the problems he spoke on he caused.

Okay, he didn’t give orders Putin to invade Ukraine; however, he did make it possible. When oil went up to $100 a barrel, it put a bunch of cash in Putin’s piggy bank that he would not have had if oil remained around $30 a barrel. Had Putin not had the money, he would not have been so likely to invade.

It is also true that Old Joe did not give the order for Hamas to attack Israel, however, between one thing and the other, he sure did finance it. Even now, he is doing what he can to keep Israel from fighting the war that he permitted. While Israel is trying to put a choke hold on Hamas, Old Joe just can’t wait to provide supplies in the back door.

Then he has the nerve to say we need money to deal with the problem on the border, which he, himself engineered, intentionally, on purpose and with intent.

Just one word for all that, DUMB… that is, unless he caused the problems intentionally. That too is very possible, maybe probable.

Then again, there are those who don’t like me using such direct language. So, let’s just say not so smart. Regardless of the logic or reason, Old Joe has a real mess on his hands now. Well, actually 3 or 4.