Two Questions I’d Like the Answers to Before my Death

Who is Ray Epps, and who has been issuing his paychecks for the last 20 years? All those people in or around the Capitol were thrown into various prison cells on the slimmest of evidence for over four years. Not Ray. He will serve 100 hours of community service after waving and encouraging people into the Capitol Building. I am not sure he will serve that. If he does, it will be under the best conditions.

I figure he had a part in the conspiracy or he knows someone who knows someone. I mean there were people who went to prison for being in the vicinity. He stands outside the building and directs traffic, and he was sentenced to a hand slap, which he never receives.

Even now, after the change of administration, he remains in Arizona in that wonderful weather, apparently totally immune to being touched by anyone. And now, who is it that he works for? Does he work at all, or does he draw some kind of FBI paycheck through back channels?

Do you suppose they would give me an hour or three in an interrogation room with Epps, where he would be required to answer my two questions honestly? It is a cover-up that makes anything done by President Nixon or anyone around him look minor. It is far worse than VP Spiro Agnew ever thought about doing.

I THINK NOT!! I will die not knowing, as the rest of us.

Take Care, Things Are Not Always as They Appear

The prompt about making food reminded me of something that happened a very long time ago. Well, maybe not so long geologically speaking. Let’s put it this way. I am now 76 and it happened when I was yet in high school. That would make it early 60s. I am sure to some of my readers, that is ancient.

Regardless, I had made a yellow cake. While it was cooling, I started on the frosting, chocolate. I had made a syrup of coco, water, a little salt, vanilla and water. My younger sister had entered the kitchen and I could see she was eyeing the my little mixture. I warned her that she wouldn’t like it if she got any of it. I turned to prepare the confection sugar and out of the corner of my eye I saw my sister move suddenly. Yup, from the expression on her face, I could see she tried to raid the syrup.

I got a pretty good laugh and my sister got a long drink of water. She didn’t even bother with a glass. She drank it right out of the faucet. I am sure if she could, she would have liked to be able to undo that function. I suspect she wished she had a backspace key. Fortunately, five minutes later, it was just a bad memory.

I must admit, I would have been tempted too. That little mixture I made up really looks good. But it is the ultimate in bitterness. The chocolate frosting that I put on that cake was mixed with sugar. In fact, it was mostly sugar. It wasn’t truly chocolate, but chocolate flavored.

You know, a lot of life is like that. It looks so-o-o good, but, in the end, it is very bitter. I don’t know about you, but it seems I need to learn that lesson over and over again. The sweetness of chocolate is only there after the sugar is added. Somethings in life remain bitter, regardless of how much sugar is added.

Great Comment

Although I have had this blog for, I guess 4 or 5 years now, I don’t know all the ins and outs, so I will not risk the possibility of giving away anyone’s privacy. However, there was a person that made a comment on my post, Photography.

I must admit it hit me hard in that, for a short time, it confused me. I just couldn’t imagine anyone not having a regular camera, with shutter speeds, f-stops and focus.

It made me realize that I have lived through a total evolution of technology. I actually saw the use of the big press cameras that used the flash bulbs. Back when I was a boy, most photos were black & white. Color was something reserved for Christmas and Easter pictures. The color was very expensive.

I took most of my pictures in slides, which saved a lot of money. It did have the drawback of needing the slide projector and darkening of the room, but what huge and bright brilliant images. I guess the regular screen was about 4X5 feet. However, I used bed sheets and still the image was sharp.

I’m not sure, but I think that some of the old slides rival the resolution of all but the most expensive electronic images today.

The technology really affected 5 major industries. Naturally, it hit the photographers, pro and amateur. Consider the wedding photographers. Their biggest competition now is the customer with a cell phone.

The TV industry, just a decade or so ago went through an enormous revolution. One day, the images, size and resolution, takes a huge step forward.

Perhaps the largest change is in personal photography. In the past, you heard, “Quick, Jim. Get the camera. I think Joey’s going to take his first step!” Today, you just keep your phone handy. If it turns out to be a false alarm, you can just remove the video. On the other hand, you can keep it. The memory cards are cheap.

You would think the big silver screen would be immune to the change and the huge reels of plastic would last forever. Not so. I suspect within a decade or two all film images will fall by the wayside, and replaced by the microchips.

I suppose the biggest change is the media itself. Kodak used to be a big part of US industry. No more need for instant film development. Polaroid, to the best of my knowledge, no longer makes any kind of film.

It makes me wonder about Technicolor and all their competitors. Personally, I liked Technicolor. The images always seemed to have a special brilliance.

I am sure I have overlooked a lot. On the other hand, is it really practical to include it all in one large post.

I guess the one comment might seem small to many. To me, it launched me into a lifetime of memories. Memories of memories, so to speak.

Thanks .

Money, Money, Money

Now that I have your attention. Actually, the prompt I have for my contribution this evening was a bit of wisdom by a little boy, I guess about 5. We were at a restaurant and settled at out table when the boy called out, loud, “You’re always worried about money.”

I couldn’t help but laugh some when I heard. It sent me back to the days when my boys said such things. By the way, they were right. Back in the day, our budget only had room for eating out, maybe once every other week. Unless it was Sunday, we frequently had left overs and not many of them.

By the way, the title above is the name of a 1976 song (approx) by ABBA. If you haven’t heard it, you might want to. It has a catchy tune and somewhat humorous lyrics. It is based on a woman’s desire for money. And, as the boy pointed out, aren’t we all interested in money and getting it. Well, some of us like to spend it too.

The big problem, of course, is that we seldom have enough of it. I mean, even the billionaires seem to have problems coming up with it at times. From what I understand, when Elon Musk decided to privatize Tesla, he was a dollar or two short. Actually had me feeling bad for him.

I don’t know what the little boy wanted that made his mother say no. It might have been pie or maybe just a cookie. Regardless, I speak from experience. I don’t think it will be the last time he hears no. On the other side of the coin (like the pun) there will likely be many times he has to tell his children no. It’s just a fact of life. Most of us, from time to time must worry about money. In some cases, some of us even need to worry about where the next meal will come from.

Sorry. It is a fact of life. The Constitution provides us with the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It does not guarantee steak dinners or Tesla cars. For that, you must work.

By the way, some don’t even get their guarantee of life. Before they are born, some thoughtless doctor without morals take it away from them. They don’t get any cookies. They don’t get any pie. In fact, they never get any life. The don’t even get a chance to compromise. Their memories will be terminated before they begin. Planned Parenthood will do their best to see to that, them and the dems.

One more thing. They, the dems, Planned Parenthood and the abortionists all do it for one the, The Money, Money, Money.

Open Defiance

Can we bring up the last presidential election one more time or is everyone going to openly defy any other possibility than as it turned out?

I’m not a big fan of Glenn Beck, but every now and then he says something that is really, really thought provoking. Let me say what he said in a very different way.

Why is it that when anyone brings up a good question or two that everyone and their cousins quickly clamps a lid on it. Of course I do mean that figuratively, but I certainly can’t exaggerate it even a little.

I mean, think about it. I bring up the subject and immediately if not sooner, my thoughts are belittled, before I even bring forward any facts.

Nothing, but nothing was established in court. The Supreme Court refused to even look at anything, defiantly. At the time, couldn’t understand that. Considering the obvious disobedience of the law I still don’t comprehend it.

It is as if someone, somewhere said put a lid on it and no one nowhere, noway, no how dare say anything differently.

You might take note of what has happened to those that did try to swim upstream. Many are already in prison. Many more are on their way. Is this really the way we should be treated when we question the outcome of an election.

If so, there are at least 3, maybe 4 who should be behind bars.

DON’T like it when the rules only work but one way. I do believe most of the rest of us do, or should feel the same.

The Rule Concerning the TV Series

Not all TV series are successful. The rules that determine which ones work and which ones don’t are as varied as the ditch digger’s work day is long.

Some that are predicted to be big successes don’t last the season. Then there are the unexpected ones with little known lead actors that take off.

Some who are as old as me remember little lines like, “Missed it by that much.” I suspect a few thought Get Smart would become one of those extra special shows, not only successful, but also highly quoted. I mean, would you believe people would quote and re-quote parts of the show next day around the water cooler. And let’s face it, some watched the silly almost slapstick comedy just so they would be part of the next day’s discussions.

The show was something of a copy of a copy of a spoof. It all started with Goldfinger. Then the copies hit TV. It is the biggest rule in TV. When something works, copy it. Remember the westerns, the private investors, the hard hitting cop shows.

Then, there was CSI, followed by CSI, NY, CSI, Miami. Did they ever have one for LA. I don’t remember. Speaking of alphabet soup, there were a bunch of NCIS shows. I am convinced the only good one was the original. Never cared for any of the others for various reasons.

Law & Order was a good show. I suspect I watched every episode at least 3 times. Don’t watch any of the copies at all.

Thing is…I just really wonder…would TV succeed if it were required to be original. Then again, I suppose copies are what we, the public want, at least sometimes. Sometimes, not so much.

Personally, I’d like it if they would drop all the spin-offs of Law&Order and bring back the original. I really think it’s time to drop the NCIS spin-offs too. They owe all of any of their success to the original and the copies are doomed to drag the the original down.

I’m sure there are a few, very few that would disagree with me, but you have your right to be wrong. Disagree or not, you can’t deny, there is a whole lot of copying going on. Originality is rare.

Hope & Change

It was Obama’s saying, which likely propelled him into the White House. One might ask, well, what’s wrong with a little hope. What is so wrong with a little change.

Indeed, the thought sounds like such a good idea. But lets take a closer look. First, let’s look at the obvious flaw, that is the change. Certainly, it was more than a little change. It was massive, certainly to me. Obama care cost me 30,000 dollars. By the way, I could not afford it. The wife and I are living almost totally on Social Security. His change just almost wiped out my 401k. It also forced my wife into drawing Social Security early. If she hadn’t, it would have wiped out the remainder of my 401k.

I suspect there are many others who can site many other things. And, incidentally, other than medical office visits, we had not one claim on it. So, that 30 grand essentially all went into the circular file. Ask me if I like Obama’s change. Moreover, I am very suspicious that many others agree. I have also had a few talks with doctors who agree with me.

By the way, lest you forget, the only way they got Obama care through was by bribe, legal bribe, yes, but it was still a bribe and it was wrong. Moreover, it is proof, positive that it would not have passed on its own merit.

Now, consider my chair, a big recliner. I really like it. However, when I purchased it, I had little hope in it. At the store, I tried it out and, well, I really liked. Still, it’s a chair. The only thing I expected from it was to support me in comfort as I watched TV. I did get a little extra. I am sitting in it while I compose this post on my little hand hand held computer. So far, it has held me, for about 4 or 5 years. So far, it has not collapsed or thrown me as a wild horse. I guess, one day it might but so far, I think it will hold for a while. I HOPE it will. On the other hand, I don’t think it will fetch the mail or fix my breakfast. I have no HOPE of that.

Clearly, I had no hope of Obama doing one good thing for anyone other than himself. Obviously, he gave me not one reason to change my mind.

Near as I can tell, he didn’t help anyone else, least of all, the African-Americans. Maybe they know something I don’t. Maybe he actually did try to educate them, but education was degraded during his presidency.

Well, did he help any ethnicity while in office. Near as I can tell, the Asians are doing some better. Blacks, Latino and Jews didn’t seem to benefit from anything he did. Christians definitely didn’t benefit from anything he did. Thousands of them died in Iraq when he decided to just up an leave. I really don’t think he cares. Never heard so much as one person ask him.

Looks to me, when he promised hope and change, the promise was empty. The only one he really wanted to help was himself. He wasn’t a millionaire when he first entered politics, but he is now. Just where do you suppose all his money came from? He spent less than one term as senator, two terms as president and, poof, instant multi-millionaire.

If you think he came by it honest, you are easily deceived. Deception seems to be Obama’s specialty.

Wish List

I have no earthly idea why, but I really like the Audi commercial that asks, is it really a wish list if it only has but one wish on it?

I know, not much of a reason, but I do find the question intriguing. Just how many things must be on a list in order for it to be a list. Is it a shopping list if it only has milk & bread?

I remember the year that my Christmas list consisted of just one thing, a bicycle. Well, I did get the bike, but I must admit that I got a few other things too. I think maybe of all the things I received for Christmas, that bicycle was my favorite.

I have no idea how many miles I put on that bike, but I rode it to school, to friends homes, to the store for milk and bread. Sometimes, I just rode it cause I liked riding it.

I guess I was in the 5th or 6th grade when I got it and I used it through the twelfth grade. I have no idea how many flats I fixed on it. I even had to replace a broken front fork. I guess you could say I wore it out.

Maybe, if I had the money, I might have bought the Audi. It would have certainly had a place on my Christmas list. However, I already got my wish, the Nissan. Very likely it will also be well used. Unless I start selling my books, and a bunch of them, I won’t likely buy any more cars.

Speaking of books, maybe a few of you can put a few of my books on your lists. They might not be great, but I believe you will enjoy them. Just look on my about page for a list and it really is a list. More than 35 titles. Many are parts of series.

[Now, how’s that for a segway?]

The Age of Reversal

Down through time, there have been significant eras. There were the dark ages, the time after Rome fell. There was the time of enlightenment, when people started to read and understand that which the Catholic Church kept hidden. Then of course, the middle ages, the part betwixt and between.

Then, of course there was the industrial revolution. It was a time when people started leaving the farms to work in factories. If you want to go farther back in time, we have the rock age, the bronze age and the iron age. I suppose there might have been a glass age, but I don’t recall any. None-the-less, glass did change things. It permits us to look through walls without permitting the wind and insects in. That is kind of important too.

I think, if I had the where-with-all of naming an age, I would call the time of the 1960s through the 1980s, the time of reversals. Perhaps it might be called the time of change, but I would say that reversals more accurately describes it.

You see, many things reversed in that time. They didn’t just change; they reversed. Such as what, you ask?

Well, let’s start with gambling. In 1960, about the only place a person could legally gamble in this country was Nevada. If my memory serves me right, all other states made it illegal except on the horse and dog race tracks. In New York, many played the “numbers,” but it wasn’t legal. Many were put in jail for it.

Then one day, they started opening legal gambling here and there. The numbers became the lotto and now it is legal to bet on almost anything anywhere. At first, it was by trickle. I believe NY, NY was about the first to allow the lotto. It was “to support the schools only.” Well that didn’t last long. I don’t know for sure, but I suspect the schools don’t get any of the lotto money anymore. If they do, it is nothing more than a pretense.

It seems, invariably, almost anything will be permitted for the benefit of education, even if it isn’t. I don’t know who it was that said it, but it was said well. “When they start saying it’s for the kids, grab hold of your wallet.” (Or was it pocket book) Regardless, in the name of education, we have permitted a lot and we will very likely add to it in the future.

In 1960, there were no topless places, none. As for what is permitted now… I won’t even go there. I will say, that by 1990, almost all the restrictions were removed from that area of morality.

In 1960, the killing of babies before they were born was done only illegally. If a woman wanted that sort of thing, it was generally only done by doctors who had lost their licenses or by someone who had learned from someone else. Some had brought up the subject, but it would quickly get quashed. It was a subject to avoid. Certainly, it was not discussed on the 6 O’clock news where the kids could hear.

Now, at one time, they have actually considered killing babies after they are born. I suspect, behind closed doors, it was discussed far more.

It was indeed a time of reversal. Only those without morals, those without God that would consider it progress. Indeed, I’d say, we have taken a few giant steps back. I believe I have that on good authority. It isn’t so much that God agrees with me. I would suspect it is more that I agree with Him.

Perhaps one of the worst part of it all is that, nowadays, all of this new morality is taught in schools and if we complain, we get our names added to some list somewhere.

My Favorite Things

Daily prompt

Where is my favorite place to go in my city.

Okay. Favorite place, favorite thing; it’s sort of the same. Besides, the word, thing, is more accurate for me anyway. Then too, why not use the song title from Sound of Music if I’m able. By the way, it is also one of my favorite songs. I like it almost as much as the title song.

The thing is, I have always liked parks. When I lived in Orange County, we used to walk nearly 2 miles to a park, play for hours, and then, of course, walk nearly 2 miles home.

Irvine Park was not in walking distance, but all of us loved to go now and then, by car, of course. We always had a picnic lunch and frequently watermelon for desert. The park is quite expansive. We ran all over the place, up and down some sizable hills and did some things that wear me out thinking about it today. Then, of course, when we got home, none of us had the energy to make trouble for any of the adults.

The one park that I really loved though, was Griffith Park. That place had enough there to keep me busy for a week, maybe more. That park is huge.

I also spent time in San Diego, which also has a huge park, which also has a huge zoo. I am sure most people have heard of it.

The city where I live now has a couple of parks, which we visit from time to time. Moreover, there are state and federal parks nearby. As a couple of old folks, we don’t run around so much any more. But it is still nice to visit them for a walk now and then. During the right season we watch Little League games and maybe consume a hot dog. It’s gotten to be more enjoyable than watching the pros.

And so it is that my favorite thing is also my favorite place, the park, no matter where I lived.