I was brought up in sunny California. It is an accurate description. The Christmas that I got my bicycle, my friends and I spent the day after riding all over the neighborhood.

The sun was busy doing it’s thing; there was hardly a cloud in the sky and the only reason we were sweating was because of our riding.

I guess I would have to say that that southern California weather is my favorite. Obviously, I was not alone in my opinion. During the time I spent in the area, property values skyrocketed.

It does somewhat remind me of one of my favorite Yogisms, “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” He was talking about one of his favorite restaurants. I’m referring to my favorite place on earth. Considering the weather, it’s hard to imagine people leaving, but they are, for a number of reasons, not the least of which it’s too overcrowded.

Too be sure, there were rainy days. Occasionally, it did get uncomfortably warm, but they were the exception. Most anywhere else they seem to be the rule.

So, alas, I spend the remainder of my life in a place with hot humid summers and cold windy winters because I chose a place not so crowded over a place with the ideal weather.

Daily writing prompt

What is your favorite type of weather?

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While it is true I have considered the question, I never put any deep thought into it. The question prodded and searched into some very old memories.

In the 8th grade, I had a teacher of English and US history. She really helped me understand the structure of our language inside and out. This I might add, in spite of my efforts not to.

Her name was Mrs. Roper. She didn’t have to work. Her husband was wealthy. However, she was very determined that I learned something, like it or not.

Well, I am 76 now, definition of old. It has been a long time ago. My memory isn’t like it used to be. Yet, today, I seem to know more about The Constitution, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War than half those graduating from college.

Finally, she was the first person to warn me about communist in the our schools. At the time, I wondered if she was being an alarmist.

Since that day, I can see she hadn’t told the half of it. It wasn’t but one generation later, the colleges were overwhelmed by socialists. Those graduating those colleges were soon the teachers in our schools, or should I say, mind warpers.

She really had it nailed. Today, if you want teachers like Mrs. Roper, you’ll likely need to look in private schools. I suspect there aren’t many there.

The prompt has made me wish I would have gone back to the school and thanked her for her stubbornness. I doubt she is still around. I think very few like her are.

Daily writing prompt

Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

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Don’t do tattoos. Why would I even think of disfigurement? I don’t think that God likes it when we do that. I don’t see the point of it anyway.

A few decades ago, most folks were as me. Not so much anymore. Do we really want to classify that as progress? Do we really want to start assuming that everyone likes defacing themselves?

Let’s keep our art on paper and canvas. Maybe stone or bronze. it looks better and lasts longer.

Daily writing prompt

What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

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Fidler On the Roof

Sound of Music

Oklahoma

South Pacific

Kismet

Pal Joey

The Desert Song

Ten Commandments

There are dozens of others. Unfortunately, on the spur of the moment, my memory fails me.

Also, I have purchased a couple of movies that were never on TV or in the movie theaters, Pirates of Penzance & HMS Pinafore. I lost count of the times I’ve watched them.

Daily writing prompt

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

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Motor home. It has been my dream since high school. Doesn’t look like it will happen, though.

It would be nice. Came close to buying motorhome. Then, reality hit me right between my eyes. Sometimes, that happens, you know.

Daily writing prompt

You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?

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Even before I was married I wanted a radar oven. I couldn’t afford one. Finally, I bought a 750 watt unit. Ever since, I have rarely been without one.

It is somewhat odd, though. I soon learned microwave effect. Always before, I put put something in the oven and walked away. I knew it would take awhile, so there was no since standing and waiting. Generally, I’d come back after 20 or 30 minutes and return.

Not so with the radar range. I stood right there, tapping my toe. Then, of course, I needed to check and heat the food for just a tad longer. Then, of course, tap my toe some more.

The last time I replaced a microwave, the old one was getting slow. I had a new one before I tossed the old one, as if one can truly toss a microwave.

My original reasoning for getting a cell phone was to make sure I could remain in contact with family and for emergencies. Okay. Isn’t that what we all told ourselves when the truth was that the things are really cool?

Today, in a real since, I spend about half my waking time with one in my hand. In fact I am writing this post on one whilst sitting in my recliner.

Push come to shove, I am sure I could live without it. I just don’t know how. I would go through serious withdrawal.

For the 3rd thing, I am having to think it over good. I used to think it would be hard to go without cable, but I am managing. Moreover, my phone has replaced my camera, recorder, and many aspects of my computer. For instance, just today, I started trying to think of Ben Carson’s name and the harder I tried to remember it, the more it escaped me. Kind of the result of aging. Gives me another reason to hold onto the cell phone. It sort of replaces my memory.

I don’t cook much any more, but I bought a new electric skillet and though I use it less than 1 or 2 times a week. It has really spoiled me. It has surprised me how much easier and faster I can make things. Oddly, it takes me longer to get out and plug it in than to scramble up some nice fluffy eggs. Never could do that before. Makes it very worthwhile hanging onto. Maybe it qualifies as the 3rd thing for me.

Daily writing prompt

What are three objects you couldn’t live without?

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Well, those as an adult anyway. It seemed every time, I left good friends. Some might find this odd, but I left some of my best friends at the restaurant where I worked. However, the Marines were calling.

Things were different in the Marines, a lot different. I learned so much while there. And when I say there, there was a few different places. I saw many places and many peoples I would not have seen as a civilian

There were many things I hated to leave in the Marines. No one leaves the Marines after 9 years without leaving part of him behind.

I settled in Mempis after being discharged. I was stationed there twice and was familiar with it. There was much I liked about it. Then, that was before the dems got control. As many did at the time, I moved south of the stateline.

For a while, I continued to work out of Memphis, but took calls in Ark, Mo and even spent time in Detroit, and Dallas repairing computers. I would have prefered to do that the rest of my life, but computers don’t break anymore.

I had taught for 3 years in the Marines. So I decided to give it a try at NAS Memphis. There is nothing better than teaching. If I didn’t need to eat, I would do it for nothing.

How-some-ever, one day I woke up and found out they were tearing down the Berlin Wall. They packed up the training center and moved it to Pensicola. I was suddenly out of the best job I ever had.

At that point, I found a couple of jobs as a computer operator. It was a good for an older man. Then, it was the hardest phase. Retirement.

Don’t much care for retirement. It’s better to have something productive to do.

Daily writing prompt

Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

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Actually, maybe it’s good I don’t know. At 76, I do have some suspicions. I have some hopes. However, fact is…in six months I might not be here.

If permitted, one last thought. Maybe the people from Memphis will know how to drive and they will have stopped shooting at each other.

Daily writing prompt

What is the biggest challenge you will face in the next six months?

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