Tell us about your morning routine.

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I am retired. I don’t do mornings unless absolutely necessary.

What’s the best way to meet new people while traveling?

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The first obstacle to get over is traveling. During my younger years I did plenty of traveling and I never had much trouble meeting people. Now that I am older, I hardly get out of the house. I have a 3 year old car with only 8000 miles on it. I used to put 2000 miles a month easily. 

I never thought so much about it but as I think back over it, I usually just say hello. Generally, if I decided, I’d ask a question, usually about something that caught my attention. Hats or t-shirts usually work well, especially when they have some kind of marking on it. It might surprise you about how people like to explain some kind of saying on their shirt.

Sometimes, that doesn’t quite work as expected. I saw a man with a Christian saying on his shirt and I complemented him on it. He seemed pleased so I risked asking where he bought it, he replied a thrift store. Not exactly the reply I expected. Still, it was fine. When we parted, we were both laughing. 

Just the other day, I struck up a conversation because I was curious what the abbreviation was on his cap. We talked for about five minutes after that. Actually, he was happy to do most of the talking and I enjoyed listening. 

Cars are a good way to start a conversation. I have found that people love to talk about their cars, or motorcycle. If you’re not careful, you can let the time slip away and before you know it, you can let 20 or 30 minutes slip away from you. It has happened to me more than twice.

I went to see Desert Song out in Anaheim, CA, I guess it was around 1967. After, I saw a man getting on his Honda 305 and I complemented him on it. Next thing I knew we were talking motorcycles. Then, of all things I found out he was one of the cast. Go figure. Yeah, I told him how much I enjoyed the show to. Not sure, but the just might have embarrassed him some.  Well, it was good he knew I liked it anyway. 

I complemented a man on his pickup one day. I think he was waiting on someone to say something about it. Yep. We talked for about fifteen minutes. It seems the truck had been in an accident and he got it for about half price. He was really proud of it and rightfully so. I thought he’d driven it off the lot new. I think, in a way, he was more proud of the price than if it was new. Getting it for half the normal price was a real feather in his cap. Sure made me envious. Considered making him an offer but I really don’t think he wanted to sell it. 

If aliens arrived tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d ask them?

Ask them if they have methods for dealing with telemarketers, otherwise known as professional pests. 

What personal mantra or philosophy guides your life?

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Back in 1967, I entered Marine boot camp—a span of years I’d rather not calculate. Throughout that formative period, our instructors drilled into us a crucial lesson: the importance of planning. Though their methods have likely evolved, I’m confident the Marines continue to champion this principle.

Over the decades, I’ve come to recognize this advice as among the most valuable I’ve ever received. Looking back, I wish I’d embraced it more completely at the time, even though I thought I had.

Here’s the critical point: delay planning, and your options shrink. The longer you postpone it, the fewer choices remain available to you.

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. 

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.

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.

Daily writing prompt

What are your best healthy eating habits?

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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.

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.

Daily writing prompt

How do you write what people actually want to read?

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I just write what I want to. Sometimes people read it. I guess sometime they like it. Most times….