Tag Archives: dailyprompt

Painter of Light

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Daily writing prompt
Who are your favorite artists?
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That is what Thomas Kinkade got to be known as. If you are not familiar with his work, you might look him up. It’s not difficult. If you don’t remember his name, just enter “Painter of Light.” The reason he was given the title was because he generally painted landscapes with houses at dusk. The houses, the streetlights and even the moon seemed to give off a glow.

I have heard of people who had more copies of his paintings than they had room on the walls to hang them. It forced them to rotate them around from time to time.

He died a few years ago I am sad to say. I do believe he did bring a little light to us all who bought copies of his paintings, or just had the opportunity to see them.

Many did not like the way he did things. While all of his paintings were real, he had talented people make copies of his painting under strict supervision. As a result, there were many copies. Those in the world of established art believed in one copy of each painting and only by the artist, this despite that most of the Sistine Chapel was painted by assistants of De Vinci. The nice thing about the way Kinkade did it, he brought much more beautiful art to many more people. By the way, he also gave many aspiring artist a way to feed themselves while practicing.

I used to draw and paint when I was younger. I even considered painting the covers to my books, or at least a few of them. However, my painting is about like my books, not that good. Would anyone like to offer to do it for me?

Not all art is on canvas. Actors are considered artist too. I have many actors that I have liked over the years- Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Dorthy Kirsten, Gordon MacRae, Doris Day and a few others. However, Topol in “Fiddler on the Roof,” has to be my favorite. I have the DVD and have watched it many times. However, I also saw it on stage at the Orpheum in Memphis, with Topol. It was the last time he toured with the show and I just knew I had to see it.

I managed to get the night off of work. ( I had a very good boss, thankfully ) I went with my wife and we settled into our seats. The lights were lowered and a man stood on the stage. Topol had likely played the part thousands of times before. However, almost instantly, he was playing the part for the first time. Instantly, he was not Topol, but Tevye, a poor dairyman in early 1900s Russia. I wish I had some way of telling the man what a good and convincing performance he gave that night. I have tried.

However, he, his performance, the other actors, and the show brought to my mind something I just simply did not know before. There were tears in my eyes as I realized that as bad as the Russians were on the Jews, they chased the them into places such as east Europe, like Poland, Like Hungry, Austria , and of course, Germany. In truth, the mistreatment of the Israelites did not start in Germany and Poland. It was simply a stop along the way. It started in Ukraine. It went through Europe and it is going on this very day with help of our current occupier of the Oval Office.

And, by the way, did you know our very own Roosevelt (FDR) had a part in it. He refused to let them leave Germany and enter the US, even though they were well under Quota. That’s right, FDR was a viscous racist and he didn’t do much to hide it either.

I used to like to take pictures. I had about 160 slides of Vietnam. I used to look at them from time to time. An older woman I met took pictures too. She had been all over the world. Now SHE was an artist. I could have sat and looked at her slides for hours. It does make me wonder, where are those slides now. I certainly hope whoever inherited them knows what a treasure they have. More likely, no one has looked at them for years, if at all.

I don’t know the woman’s name. I wish I had thought to ask her for copies, but I wouldn’t be able to afford them anyway. It would be a tragedy if they have been lost. To me they would be worth more that anything that Leonardo de Vinci painted.

Sometimes, people underestimate the value of their art. I suspect all the artist I mentioned here didn’t really truly know what treasures they really brought into the world. I know Thomas Kinkade had an idea of it, but he couldn’t have really known. Topol has no idea what he brought into my life that night, and it wasn’t just the art. That woman with her slides. I know she wanted to bring something into everyone’s life. I just wished she had the vehicle for it. There is no doubt in my mind she had the talent and heart for it.

Not a Fan of Crowds

Posted in A Little About me, Cancel Culture, Christian values, Communism, Communist Takover, Deceit, Education, Elections, experience, FOC, Going Green, Lobbyists, Politcal Opinion, Priorities, Religion by
Daily writing prompt
Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.
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Put me in a crowd and I will head for a corner.

Actually, when I saw the prompt, I had a little laugh. People rarely are interested in anything I want to say. Moreover, much of what I hear in a crowd, I wish I had a way to unhear. (Or un see) Many crowds have folks who are drinking, and I don’t mean tea. I don’t like being around others who are drinking, even one on one.

Very few have any interest in discussing electronics, computers, Christianity or politics. Might I remind that we are cautioned about taking about religion and politics. It somewhat limits my conversation.

As usual, I could talk about the weather. As Mark Twain, said, “Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it.”

I guess old Samuel Clemens never felt out of place. He seemed to always have something to say. I sure wish I had his gift of gab. It sure would be nice to have folks listen to me when explaining the plan of salvation. It would be nice if I could command the attention of thousands when I warn against the fallacies of communism.

Well, little as it is, I do what I can, even though I can’t draw a crowd.

Really? Bronze Age?

Posted in Cancel Culture, Climate Change, Computers, Going Green by
Daily writing prompt
Your life without a computer: what does it look like?
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For what reason would we even want to go back to the typewriter age. Computers have become very important tools for almost all of us. Of course there are some, such as the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Company that still haven’t gotten the knack of it yet.

Still, I hate the idea of pounding out a post on an old typewriter. Moreover, even when done, without the computer, there is no way to publish it.

I don’t like the typewriter age much more than the bronze age. Running water is so much nicer than having to go out to the well and haul the stuff in by bucket. I don’t know but maybe the going green folks would like it. I mean, computers do use a lot more electricity than the old manual typewriters. AND, with the phones we have nowadays, we all use a lot of electricity just to talk to each other, or to play games.

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.