Tag Archives: dailyprompt

Let Me Explain, Please

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I’m not sure if this is relevant, but it was my first instinct when I encountered the prompt. Either way, I hope you’ll be understanding of my response.

I was a L/Col (E3) sitting in a class on radar, the second-to-last phase of a 16-week electronics course. The class consisted of 25 students. There were 4 of us Marines, one from the Coast Guard, and the rest were sailors. One of the sailors was a woman, fairly attractive, and also something of a firecracker.

As I mentioned, I was simply absorbing every word the instructor shared. For reasons I couldn’t explain, he suddenly paused and studied me intently. Then he commented on my ears. It was nothing unusual. Had I possessed the financial means, I might have considered cosmetic surgery for my ears and nose. I had grown accustomed to such remarks.

It’s what happened next that made me want to disappear into a foxhole. Suddenly, in response to the instructor’s remark, the woman said, “Don’t knock my necking partner.”

I understood the remark, and so did the instructor. The room erupted in laughter, and everyone’s eyes turned toward me. Their faces all posed the same unspoken question. It was one of those moments best left unexplained. Any attempt to clarify would only have made things worse. To this day, I’d wager most of the class still has no idea why that remark landed the way it did.

So, please let me explain. For some unknown reason, I was paired with her as a lab partner. The awkwardness was that we frequently needed to look at a 5 inch scope and examine the trace across it. At first we were both careful not to put our heads too close together. As time passed, we became more careless.

As the instructor circulated around the room, he timed it perfectly to see us closely examining the small scope, and, of necessarily close to each other. In humor, he asked what was going on. He knew. We knew he knew. Then the woman said, “Don’t you know, he’s my necking partner?”

If that had been all, the matter would have ended there. Then the instructor asked about my ears.

I’ve always suspected she might have felt more deeply about me. I may have even asked her out once or twice. But the timing and circumstances weren’t right. In a few weeks, our paths would diverge. Still, I think of her from time to time, wondering how she’s doing. Perhaps I should have suggested we stay in touch by mail. It’s one of those questions I’ll never have answered.

Daily writing prompt
What’s the funniest misunderstanding you’ve ever been part of?
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Steam Engine Trains

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I have said many times that I chose the wrong profession. I should have pursued a career in railroading, ideally as an engineer specializing in steam engines.

Several decades ago, when I was serving as a sergeant in the Marines, my family and I visited Travel Town in Griffith Park. While we went primarily for my two sons, I found myself enjoying it far more than they did. Standing at the controls of those vintage locomotives was remarkable. I imagined pushing the throttle of one of those powerful machines and feeling it rumble to life.

For years, I assumed they were supplanted by modern diesels due to their superior speed. Recently, however, I discovered that some of those vintage locomotives were capable of pulling trains at speeds exceeding one hundred miles per hour. The engine that Casey Jones operated was among them, and he regularly achieved such velocities. That would certainly be an exhilarating experience, thundering down the track at or near such speeds.

Unfortunately, the steam locomotive had to be retired. Those boilers require extensive maintenance. As a result, the high cost of upkeep has prevented us from seeing the old engines operate regularly.

However, I’m far from being the only one who appreciates these classic locomotives. Numerous excursion trains still operate today. Unfortunately, my closest experience was a brief ride at Knots Berry Farm. Perhaps one day I’ll have the opportunity to take a longer journey on one of these trains. For now, though, that remains out of reach.

Oops. Correction. Just remembered. I did travel by steam engine from Los Angeles to San Francisco when in June during my sixth year. I know it was steam because I got a good look at it before boarding it. From inside the coach, it’s about the same.

Daily writing prompt
Which outdated technology do you miss the most, and why?
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Old Question, Old Answer

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The Bible instructs us to train our children, and we certainly should. Yet we’re also told that we inherit our sinful nature from our ancestors—a point worth acknowledging. God declared his preference for Jacob over Esau from birth, even though they shared the same parents. Despite their identical upbringing, one developed into a righteous person while the other did not.

Cain and Abel were brothers born to the same parents. Yet one became a murderer. Try to figure that one out, and you’ll find it perplexing.

To be sure, it’s a bit of both. Beyond that, I don’t think anyone will know.

Daily writing prompt
Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?
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Audie Murphy: “A Bullet With No Name”

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In it Murphy’s character points out that the doctor patches up the killer so he lives to kill. This while Murphy’s character kills the killer, which keeps the kjller from killing.

I still prefer doing what we can to rescue the wounded. I don’t go along with killing killers. Still, he has a good point.

Daily writing prompt
What villain actually had a good point?
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Advise and Help

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You want advice, no problem. You’ll likely pay little or nothing. The world is full of those willing to provide more advice than you will want or need.

You need help, pull out your wallet. More often than not, it’s going to cost you. Sometimes, it will cost more than you realize.

Daily writing prompt
What’s a lesson you’ve learned recently that shifted your perspective?
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Change of Taste

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Pumpkin pie is one of my favorites—especially with whipped cream or ice cream, though it’s almost equally delicious on its own. As a kid, I couldn’t stand it, which is funny to think about now. The main drawback is how seasonal it is; I wish I could enjoy it year-round. Plus, my calorie budget these days doesn’t quite match what I could get away with as a boy.

Daily writing prompt
What do you love now, that you hated when you were younger?
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The Meaning of Freedom

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It might sound strange, but perhaps my first and best encounter with the true meaning of freedom comes from a film perhaps as old as me about the Berlin Airlift. A woman in Berlin asked an American airman about an article in a newspaper criticizing the US. The airman replied with a question: Would you find such an article in a Soviet paper? The answer is obviously no. The Soviets, the Chinese, and similar regimes would shoot people for putting their government in a bad light.

I was again reminded of the scene in the movie during this sudden onslaught of political correctness lately, especially under the former president. To me, it matters not who silences someone such as a reporter from any organization, or even a private citizen. A threat to silence the press is a serious threat to freedom. If I cannot write as I am now, I have no freedom, nor does anyone else.

And I might note that some of the most horrible communist leaders know the the meaning of freedom. Joseph Stalin said that those who count the ballots determine the outcome of an election while so many value their freedom so little that they cannot be bothered to vote, let alone do the research to see through simple deceit by those who want to take our freedom us.

Daily writing prompt
What does freedom mean to you?
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What’s Important

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A renowned construction engineer once penned an insightful observation about foundations in a book, though the precise quote and author’s name momentarily elude me. While I’m confident the full details could be discovered through online research, I appreciate your understanding of my imprecise recollection.

What he wrote was: The most important thing is to keep the most important thing the most important thing.

Life often leads us astray, diverting our attention from what truly matters and entangling us in trivial pursuits that ultimately derail our most significant goals and aspirations.

The strength of any structure, whether physical or metaphorical, lies in its foundation. Just as architects meticulously design the base of towering skyscrapers, we must carefully lay the groundwork for our personal and professional lives. My own journey has been a stark reminder that neglecting core principles and priorities can lead to unforeseen challenges. The wisdom of maintaining focus on what truly matters becomes clearer with time, revealing that the most critical elements should never be compromised or overlooked.

Through my personal experiences, I’ve gained wisdom by learning from my own missteps rather than capitalizing on the shortcomings of others.

Daily writing prompt
Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?
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