Tag Archives: dailyprompt

A Question With a Two Sided Reply

Posted in All That Jazz by
Daily writing prompt
What would your life be like without music?
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I suppose it was about a year ago. Maybe it was a little longer. My wife and I were sitting in a restaurant eating. She looked up at the speaker in the ceiling and said, “I can’t believe that she was actually paid to do that.”

I laughed. I knew exactly what her reference was. It would be very difficult to classify what it was as music. First, it was more noise than music. Second, it was repetitive. I guess that whoever wrote the lyrics was a person of few words.

It was truly one time I wish I had my noise canceling head phones. Even more, it did make me wonder about my wife’s remark. It made me wonder just how much the woman was paid to make that irritating noise. What’s worse, it was in a restaurant where people were eating, hopefully enjoying the food.

I do suppose it had one advantage. No one would linger; certainly not to listen to the music. Our table was available pretty quickly.

I guess a little over a decade ago we went to a Captain D’s, no longer there. The manager liked Elvis. I don’t. We went to the place three times before we figured it out. After that, we went elsewhere, even though my wife does like Elvis. However, even she was getting tired of hearing the same recordings repeatedly.

I think, in general, music during meals is supposed to be soothing. Nowadays, some folks don’t seem to think so. I mentioned that the reply does have 2 sides and there is a lot of music that I enjoy. It can be soothing, thoughtful, inspiring, and it can be just be simply something nice for listening.

Consider, On the Trail from the Grand Canyon Suite. I have hardly met a person who doesn’t like it the first time they hear it. The Overture of 1812 has sold Quaker Oats for years and is still played a lot, especially at fireworks displays. I could go through hundreds of songs that have been very enjoyable to me and so many others.

I was just in a place yesterday that played truly pleasant music over the loudspeakers and it did help me enjoy my meal. But now and then….

It’s not What You Save

Posted in Advertising by
Daily writing prompt
Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.
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Many times when I was a young lad, I would read an add about how much the savings would be to buy this that or the other thing. Finally, I was told, it’s not what you save, but what you pay.

There is a corollary to that. The more savings they advertise, the more the expensive the product. For instance if they advertise a $1000 savings on a diamond ring, the cost is likely more than the ring they advertise a savings of $100.

In other words, if I were to buy both, chances are that I would pay much more for ring that I’d save the thousand on. Naturally, if you want the more expensive ring, it is up to you. But know that will be paying more.

As I pick up a circular and I see the advertisement of a $50 savings, it makes me wonder how much it was marked up before the ad. And, of course, my assumption is that the more the savings the more it was marked up.

Regardless, the bottom line, as the businessmen like to say, it is the price. How much am I going to have to pay to change the ownership of the product. Everything else is simply a distraction.

Very frequently, I find I cannot afford the savings. Other times, it’s just more than I want to pay. Finally, sometimes, I know of other places that sell the same product for less, in which case, the savings is really not a savings at all.

A General Sort of Reply

Posted in Food by
Daily writing prompt
What are your favorite types of foods?
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I did think this one over for a while and came to the conclusion that I can only answer in generalities. Mostly, I do not like most fancy food. If someone else is paying the bill, I still would not order lobster and steak. I rarely order steak. Mostly I prefer the simple foods. A hamburger or chili-dog will make me happy. I will be happy with chicken or turkey, especially with dressing.

This subject does remind me of an instant about 4 years ago. I was in a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant at the buffet. As I plopped a large helping of mashed potatoes on my plate, I spoke to myself, “I could make a whole meal out of mashed potatoes and gravy.”

Some woman behind me was obviously eavesdropping on the little conversation I was having with myself because she spoke enthusiastically, “So could I.”

Of course, no matter what, everyone knows gravy does make everything taste better. However, I never tasted any chicken gravy better than the at chicken restaurant at Knott’s Berry Farm. It is but one of many things I left in California I wish I could have brought with me.

When I was stationed for a while in Japan, I discovered I like fried rice. I didn’t know that before. it is something of a torture now. My wife flat does not like it so I seldom get a chance to eat it now. When I do get a chance, I overdo it and then I am uncomfortable for a while.

There is a restaurant in Southaven that generally has Turkey and dressing just before and a little after the holidays. Almost every time I go in there I complain to the management that it is not year-round. I don’t understand it. All they do is laugh at me.

I must admit that I like most pork based food, bacon, sausage, ham, etc. I don’t know why, but here lately I don’t eat much of it anymore. Generally, when I eat breakfast out, I do order sausage but I can’t remember having any other pork products for a while.

I am not a fan of hot food. You put just a little pepper in something and I’d just as soon not have anything to do with it. Oddly, I do like Mexican food… Americanized as I explain to most waiters in Mexican restaurants. They smile and seem to know exactly what I mean, even in the restaurants that advertise genuine Mexican food.

Actually, I like a lot of McDonald’s food, especially for breakfast. It just is I’m tired of being ignored. I do like Big Macs but I do not like waiting 15 minutes for them. Oddly, I really like their cheeseburgers, but they seem to have little or no regard for the customers that want to come in and sit at a table.

The question also reminds me of when the Israelites ate manna in the wilderness and became tired of it and started complaining. The first time I heard the story, I told myself, I would never have complained about it. As I get older I realize I spoke without thinking. I suspect I would have been as bad or worse than the rest. It does seem to be a human tendency.

At any rate, regardless of what we eat, we do need to remember it is all provided by God and we need to thank Him for it. Also, it certainly doesn’t hurt to thank those in the restaurants who make our food. I try to and it generally surprises them. They don’t expect it. I can’t help but think it does make them feel a little better. Oddly, it makes me feel better too.

Absolutely Not!

Posted in Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
Do you see yourself as a leader?
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It is one of the bigger things I learned while in the Marines. I would make a very poor leader. In fact, I did make a bad leader.

It takes a special person to deal with subordinates and I am not one of those people. Try as I might, I failed miserably. Every since I left the Marines, I have made it a point to avoid positions with authority. It doesn’t pay nearly as much but it worked out better for me and those I worked for.

Profanity Used Freely

Posted in Christian values by
Daily writing prompt
What personality trait in people raises a red flag with you?
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I already spoke of it, but back when Trump was still one of the seventeen, it bothered that he used the profanity so much. I still don’t like it, but I’ll put up with it when he did so well at so many things while in office. I’d list them for you, but I bet you already know them.

I Don’t Know Any

Posted in Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
Name the professional athletes you respect the most and why.
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It’s true. I have met a few. When I was 12, I met a few Dodgers. Frankly, I don’t remember any of the names. It is one of those times I wish I had pen and paper. I am sure they were all famous. I just didn’t know any better.

I also spent some time with some double A players. I’m sure they were on their best behavior at the time but they all seemed nice. I mean they put up with the four in my family and seemed pleased to do it.

However, over the years I have been disappointed one time after the next. I’m sure, they, most of them are one person in public and another in private.

Then from time to time the private life becomes public. I can name them by the dozens. Most others can too. I guess if I had to make a decision I’d have to vote for Sandy Kofax, Dodgers pitcher. I’m hardly in a position to say much about him one way or the other.

I did remember him in interviews. Moreover, I don’t remember much of his private life going public. Then too, I don’t recall anyone saying anything but good about him. From what little i know of him, he seemed a man I’d have liked to know, if even for a short time.

Exercise/Work

Posted in Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
How do you relax?
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Having problems relaxing or sleeping. It’s the best way. I don’t get near as much exercise anymore, but it still works. Go out in the yard and work an hour or so and when I come back in I have no difficulty in sitting in my recliner and napping a while. Usually, I don’t even remember going to sleep.

It upsets my wife. She says she never saw anyone who could fall asleep so fast. However, the good part is that when I wake, I am fully rested and I feel much better than before the work.

The truth is that I rarely have any problem relaxing. I suspect that people who do try to do their relaxing in a hurry don’t really relax much. They look at the clock and say to themselves, “I have 40 minutes to relax now.” I can’t do that. Relaxing in a hurry has never worked for me.

Of course, it also helps to have a clear conscience. Invariably, I do have problems when I keep thinking about the bad I did or said. On the other hand, I have heard of some folks that have no problem with it.

Too Many Things

Posted in Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?
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I hadn’t noticed how much I have overused the word until I was proofreading one of my books. Not only had I used the word twice in one paragraph, but I noticed that there were many other words I use that end in ing. I don’t know if there is anyone who did any research on it, but, sometimes it seems impossible to get through one paragraph without using a word ending in the suffix.

I don’t guess there is anything wrong with it, but it just never occurred to me before, as in the word “anything,” which I used earlier. Sometimes I spend hours rewriting to keep from using too many word ing words, especially thing. None-the-less, it seems the harder I try, then the more difficulty I have.

The fact is ing does seem to be one of the more common suffixes. (something, everything, morphing, trading… well you get the point) Moreover, thing is a handy word to use when we can’t think of the right thing to say. Moreover, it isn’t very exact. Whenever possible, we really ought to use a more precise word.

Besides, as author if I am bothered by the word, I am sure anyone reading my work will be bothered too.

And so it is, If anyone can think of something to replace thing with, I am open to suggestions.

In the previous sentence, I should have wrote “another word” instead of “something”. It would have decreased the ing count.

Don’t Think I’m Alone

Posted in Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
Are you holding a grudge? About?
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As a matter of fact, I’m sure it is a grudge I share with thousands. I rarely hold grudges. I am generally quick to forgive and forget.

However, Fauci is responsible for the loss of millions of lives. In the middle of the pandemic he denied having any part of the origin; he originally said it was not that contagious; and then of all things, he had us all wearing useless masks. He had us shutting down schools, businesses and churches, while knowing it was without reason.

Finally, as fall approaches, he has raised his voice again in an attempt to get us to mask up again. Do you remember all those efforts to get 2-year-olds to wear masks. That was double bad. Children are not all that susceptible and they recover quickly.

And then, and then, to add to all else he did, he kept people from using effective preventatives and treatments. That had to be intentional.

Yeah. At this point, my only question is, why isn’t he wearing an orange jump suit. I bet there are many of us who would be glad to buy him a nice embroidered one, maybe three. No need him going to prison. Just make sure he wears the well marked marked outfit everywhere he goes.

I Guess, A little Odd

Posted in A Little About me, Communist Takover, Crazy Nuts by
Daily writing prompt
Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.
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After nine years in the Marines, I went many places that were far away. I was in Vietnam, Japan, Korea and Australia. With the exception of Australia, when I was there, I was, in a way, home. I mean, that was where I lived and as such it was it was my home for the short term. It is true I was away from my family but that was where I worked slept and whatever else.

I guess this was especially true while in Vietnam. I did not move in voluntarily and I would never want to live there but I did for very nearly a year. If you ask me if I want to go there again, or even Japan, my reply is an instant no. I prefer the good ol’ USA

However, I certainly learned a little in every place I lived. I learned about the people and their customs. I guess I could write a small pamphlet about each place. However, I guess the one place and time that made the biggest impression on me was when I was assigned to a med-cap. That is short for medical civilian action patrol, that is, if my memory serves me right.

At any rate, the point is that it was an eye opening experience. There was a squad of us, 14 that accompanied two doctors, I guess four or five corpsmen and a dentist to help the villagers. On the way, I looked out from the truck that we were on and saw an old man apparently gathering his crop of rice.

Some might not think a thing about it but I did. The old man likely had a family. He was likely doing what he could, in among the Vietcong trying to steel what he worked so hard for and the Americans trying to go after the Vietcong while not damaging the work of the poor farmer and his family.

My best guess. He likely had not one clue what was going on. He just wanted to be left alone. I don’t blame him. However, when the Americans left Vietnam, the old man likely lost his farm, and maybe his life too. It is the sort of way the communists work. They take from those that have and give it to those who don’t. In the process, they keep a bunch for themselves and go about killing very indiscriminately.

Then there was the time we were actually in the little village. I took an 8mm camera with me and I did take some movies. While I stood guard, there was a kid who kept bothering me. I had no idea what the boy was talking about but I wasn’t about to give him the camera. He’d not be able to use it if I did.

Finally, I figured it out with the aid of one Vietnamese who spoke some English. It seemed he didn’t want the camera but a little gold colored piece of plastic, something of a fake gold seal. I managed to explain to the kid it wasn’t real, but he still wanted it.

I took my knife and cut the string holding the thing and gave the seal to the boy. I shook my head as the boy ran off waving the thing and yelling. I didn’t give the boy much, but you’d never know it from what you’d see. I told one of the guys with me, “I wish I could buy a thousand of them. They wouldn’t cost much but they would make a bunch of kids really happy.”

Bottom line, as I said, I learned a lot about the people while I was there. Still, I wished I could have given away a few hundred of those little pieces of plastic. Even more, I wish we hadn’t abandoned that country. It has made me wonder about the old farmer and the 7 or 8 year old kid. Just what happened to them?

The peace-nicks of the day forced us out of there, actually after the war was already won. They were taking their instructions from people who said they were demonstrating for peace, all the while undercutting the effort to provide peace for Vietnam. In the end they got their way, as did the communists. I can’t say with certainty they wanted to help the communists but the most assuredly did. They caused the death of millions and destroyed the hopes of freedom for others. Oh yes. One more thing. They likely cost that farmer his farm.