What’s the best way to explore an unfamiliar city?
I realize that wasn’t what you asked—my apologies. The thought simply crossed my mind. After centuries of growth, most cities have become well-established, and many have rightfully earned their status as historic destinations.
That said, your question brought to mind a brief time I spent in Yuma. The city itself is quite charming, though I wouldn’t suggest visiting during summer. During my several-week winter stay, I found it genuinely pleasant for that season.
During my time in the Marines, duty took me there. Having already seen other desert cities, I wasn’t particularly eager about the assignment. Summer would have driven me to volunteer for kitchen duty just to escape. But January was surprisingly manageable. In fact, I could genuinely see myself enjoying a winter getaway there.
The surrounding areas offer plenty of worthwhile destinations and attractions worth exploring.
One fine day when I had some time off, I decided to take in a movie. I found one in the paper. Not being at all familiar, I made the mistake of assuming that since it was on Second Street, it had to be close to downtown. And it was Yuma. How far would I need to walk, given the size of the city? Well, I found out.
I don’t know how long the street is, but I must have walked many miles looking for that theater. There was not one theater. In fact, after a few blocks, there was hardly anything.
I was about to give up and catch the next bus back to the base when I looked up at a street sign and realized where I might have gone wrong. I was looking at the markings of Second and 3rd.
After walking one block, I was at the corner of Second and 2nd Avenue. I checked and, yes, there was a First and 1st as well. Strangely, the pattern more or less held up throughout the downtown area.
And so it was I explored an old city that was new to me. And, I’m pleased to report, I also saw the complete movie. Though I can’t remember what it was for the life of me. But I will never forget the way the streets are laid out in the little city of Yuma, Arizona.
Tag Archives: dailyprompt
Simple Decision
The genie grants you a wish. What is it?
An end to telemarketing calls—particularly those fraudulent Medicare scams. Receiving twenty-five to thirty daily is excessive. What makes it worse is their recorded messages that play after I pick up. Most frustrating of all, these interruptions have caused me to miss important calls I needed to take. They’ve essentially eliminated any benefit or convenience my phone provides.
My 5 Exercises
Housework, Yard work, repair, cooking, other incidentals. I waa supposed to take it easy now that I am old and retired. I have less trouble losing weight now than I ever did and my blood pressure is so low the doctor had cut my medication in half and he might do it again.
A Salad in a Salad
It may not be the conventional answer, but it’s the one I prefer.
Begin with a basic tuna salad by combining tuna, sweet pickles, celery, and bell peppers. Feel free to adjust the ingredients based on your preferences and what you have on hand. Then fold in a modest amount of mayo or salad dressing, seasoning to your liking.
Toss together a crisp salad with lettuce, cabbage, tomato, and spinach, add some shredded carrots, and finish it off with a generous drizzle of thousand island dressing—my favorite for this part, though I will let you use others.
Mix well, then add a generous scoop of the tuna salad you made into your salad. Whether you fold it in completely or leave it layered is entirely up to you—I’ve enjoyed it both ways and can honestly say they’re both delicious.
I’m not sure this fully qualifies as healthy, but I’m voting for it.
Sorta Depends
Daily writing prompt
If you could start a new business right now, what would it be?
How much imaginary cash are you going to provide me for this imagined business? Money aside I would like to start a hot dog stand.
Hamburger joints are everywhere you look. Hot dog stands, though? They’re few and far between. Want a hot dog? Your best bet is either firing up the grill at home or catching a ball game. Now chicken—ever since the Colonel started frying it, everyone’s jumped on the bandwagon. Walk down any main street in a decent-sized town and you’ll spot competitors on practically every corner.
The biggest challenge in food service is razor-thin margins. You might think you’re profitable until an unexpected bill or tax hits. That’s why I chose hot dogs. Buns, hot dogs, mustard, ketchup, and onions—simple. I sell chips and soft drinks on the side to round things out.
Then all you need is a pot to heat the hot dogs, a cash register, and a location to set up shop.
It’s either that or all-day simmered spaghetti and meat sauce. Spoon it into a paper bowl and watch the profits roll in. No competitors offer it this way.
I Don’t Try to Write What They Will Like.
I just write what I want to. Sometimes people read it. I guess sometime they like it. Most times….
I Believe in God
Karma is never mentioned in the Bible, not once. I suspect if karma actually existed in any form, God would have found a way to fit it in. Therefore, I will by choice believe that it is an invention of some human’s mind.
What truly exists is the punishment of a jealous holy God that will punish those who invent religions based on their own ideas. Or for that matter, people who modify the meaning of the Word he has provided.
Let Go of the Branch
Daily writing prompt
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you?
President Reagan told a joke about a man holding on for life to keep from falling three hundred feet. He seeks help from God and He tells the man to let go. The joke is far too long for me to repeat it here so I’ll save you the time and go straight to the punch line. The man looks around a number of times and calls out, “Is there anyone else up there who can help me?”
I can understand the man’s fear. Really I can. I wrote a post explaining that the only way I would jump out of an an airplane is if the plane is falling faster than me, parachute or not. I have a very strong fear of heights. Indeed I have thought about this joke many times and initially thought I would immediately follow God’s instruction. However, as I reconsidered a number of times, I don’t know. Three hundred feet is a long fall.
I wish I could honestly say I would release my hold on that temporary solution, but I don’t think any of us really knows what we would do until we are tested under real conditions.
I don’t know if the person who wrote the joke was aware but it is a good way to think about God’s plan of salvation. There are those who tenaciously hold onto that branch, the hope of a false religion. They believe in the repeated rituals, and the murmurs of memorized ‘prayers’ taught to them by men who don’t really know God. We are taught that if we just hold onto those traditions, we will go to heaven and live forever.
I am one of those who don’t put my faith in rituals but in Jesus Christ the son of God. I let go of that false hope of religion.
My advice to the youth: let go of the branch. Do as God tells us. Place your faith in Jesus rather than the traditions began by men. It will take courage, but the end of men’s traditions is death. If you think it over, it’s only logical. Jesus has the power to save. Tradition, man’s traditions won’t.
By the way, it’s also good advice for anyone who has not accepted Jesus as their only salvation, young or old. It’s just better if you do it while young. As we grow older, we also get more set in our ways. It becomes more difficult to let go of the old ways and harder to place your faith in Jesus. As we age, pride becomes more of a factor. I was thirteen. I remember. Even then pride stood in my way. I said no many times before I said yes. And each time I said no it was more difficult to say yes.
Let go now, before you wait so long you can’t.
No Bought Adout This One
MCAS El Toro to Da Nang Viet Nam via Alaska and Okinawa. The trip back was a tad shorter. It just seemed longer.
Touched on This Before
Daily writing prompt
What’s one thing you wish you had started doing earlier in life?
It’s worth revisiting this timeless principle, and the guidance here is genuinely valuable. Cultivate gratitude. Express your thanks sincerely to those around you, and let your appreciation flow freely. Doing so will undoubtedly benefit them, yet the greatest advantage returns to you.
By the way, don’t forget to thank God. We frequently take Him and His blessings for granted. Yet when you genuinely begin expressing gratitude to Him, you’ll likely discover just how much you have to be thankful for.
Try it and you’ll likely find it causes no harm.
