Tag Archives: dailyprompt

Will You Settle for One

Posted in Reading by
Daily writing prompt
List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter.
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Give me the opportunity and the space and I’d love to teach reading. I think I could could teach from 6 to 25 students. If I had the chance, you’d not be able to hold me back.

I guess it would be better to teach adults but I think I could do a good job of teaching children as well.

As I can see it, I would need two hours a day for 15 days, perhaps 20. I believe I could bring them from non-reading to at least 2nd, maybe 3rd grade level.

Although I am not credentialed, I have taught electronics in the military for a total of 7 years. I guess, I could also teach basic electronics for those interested, but that would take quite a bit longer. Also, I’d need to do some prep. I have not taught anything for decades. Also, unlike reading, electronics really involves a lot of math and science.

My guess, Desoto County schools will not let me near any of their students. They could lose their accreditation. Also, they’d likely not have much faith in me or my methods.

Regardless, parents, you need to make sure your kids learn to read if you have to teach them yourself. Make sure they get plenty of practice. Those who go into junior high without being able to read are very much handicapped. Math, science, and history are all very important too. However, it all hinges on being able to learn from the printed page. It is a very important way of communicating. Those who cannot read, will be severely hindered at communications. As they grow older and go up into higher grades, it becomes all the more important.

I Hate Questions Like This

Posted in Entertainment by
Daily writing prompt
What’s your all-time favorite album?
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I have, literally close to a hundred albums. Picking one as my favorite is really tough. I guess at any one time, many of them were my favorite. Moreover, it sort of depends. That is to say, I have a favorite album of Christian songs. I really like my recording of the New World Symphony but I still don’t know if I want to call it my favorite.

I really like my album “Love is Blue” by Paul Mauriat. I really like the title song, but there are certainly 4 or 5 others that are great: San Francisco, Don’t Cry for me Argentina, etc.

The thing is, nowadays, many of us simply extract the songs we like and discard the others. In the case of the “Love is Blue album, I think I have extracted 5 or 6 off of it.

I have several John Gary albums and I certainly enjoy almost all his songs, though I can’t remember the names of the albums. I have an Ed Ames Album I just love. I actually think he is a better singer than actor. There are at least half a dozen songs on his album I listen to regularly.

If I may, might I change the question around a little and answer the question, what are my favorite songs. Let’s start with Whispering Hope sung by Gordon MacRae and Jo Stafford. I doubt there are many around that will remember it, but I will play it over and over when I feel really bad. It is what I thought of when I walked guard on rainy nights and saw the sun break through in the morning.

My second favorite is “Romance,” from “The Desert Song.” Most won’t like it because sopranos sing it and it does not have much of a beat. However, it does have some very thoughtful lyrics and once you get use to it, a haunting tune. By the way, that one is old too, written before I was born.

Then, of course there is Sunrise Sunset from “The fiddler on the Roof.” The fact is, I don’t think there are many who dislike that one, especially those of us who have seen our share of sunsets.

Kind of an honorable mention is a song sung by John Gary, Something Simple. I have never heard the song before him nor after. I guess we can say it is not so popular. I can understand why. The song is not just titled something simple but something simple describes it. The tune is simple, the words are simple. But they hide a very deep thought. If you get a chance to hear it, listen to it a few times. The concept it has is that it is the simple things that are so important, even complex, even the song itself.

Okay, as for my favorite album, right now, Paul Mauriat’s “Love is Blue. However, next week, it might be New World Symphony. I do have a tendency to change my mind regularly.

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.