Tag Archives: dailyprompt

Does Anything?

Posted in Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
What motivates you?
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I guess, when I was young, my father did. The fear of failing grades in school did.

Certainly when I had a wife and two kids to support, that motivated.

Nowadays, it is a little difficult to get me out of the house. If it weren’t for my wife, I’d likely stay at home for weeks. I try to take her out at least once a day. Sometimes we go out two or even three times. We really should go out more often.

I have looked for a place for old folks to get together but it seems there aren’t many around here. Most of our friends have either moved away or passed on. Most of the neighborhood aren’t interested in hanging around with an couple like us.

My wife loves to talk, even when she has nothing to say. We go out to eat and she will strike up conversations with anyone. Sometimes, the strangers don’t understand her, but most remain friendly.

The way I figure it right now, my job #1 is making spoiling her for as long as I can. If I can do anything else, that will be good too.

Very Interesting

Posted in Fine Actors, Memories by
Daily writing prompt
What are your top ten favorite movies?
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Over the years I have seen many good movies and to call out just 10 would be very difficult. I guess “Fiddler on the Roof,” has to be my very favorite. Overall it just had a very good plot, which quite frankly opened my eyes to the way the Jews were treated in Russia. Before the movie, I simply had no idea.

More than that, it had a lot of humor, far more than I expected. If you saw it, I’m sure you know of what I speak. The music is very likely the best or nearly the best of all times. It was very good, but more, there was a lot of it. Many of my favorite songs came from “Fiddler on the Roof,” especially Sunrise, Sunset; Matchmaker; and If I were a rich man. It is a movie I have watched many times.

Then there is “Support Your Local Sheriff.” This one really surprised me. The movie just simply had me laughing almost from beginning to end. It is likely the best thing James Garner did. Also, loved Walter Brennan. The bit with red paint and the jail really caught me by surprise. The cannon at the end, though…it still makes me laugh at it as I think about it.

It’s kind of a toss up between “Support Your Local Sheriff” and “Kelly’s Heroes” for second place. Perhaps the Local Sheriff was more humorous, but “Kelly’s Heroes” had more of a real plot. Besides, I really love the theme song, “Burning Bridges.” I could just about listen to it all day.

From here on out it sort of gets jumbled up. There are the Musicals of Oscar and Hammerstein and those of Sigmund Romberg. Most don’t even know who Romberg is. Nonetheless, Desert Song is my favorite of his. However, I have repeatedly watched “New Moon” and “Naughty Murrieta” many times. Should I live long enough, I’ll likely watch them many more times.

Incidentally, Oscar and Hammerstein did not seem to be afraid of attacking a few social matters of the day. The lieutenant took up with the native woman and the nurse married the old French man with the native children. Most movies of the day simply didn’t get into things like that. Nowadays, it is taken for granted.

I suspect that there are many movies I have slighted. Every now and again something will happen to make me remember.

Oh, yes. Can’t forget Bob Hope in “The Pale Face,” “Eight on the Lam” and “The Seven Little Foys.”

As I said; I is difficult narrowing it to 10. Maybe 25.

Sorry folks. Just cannot include “Gone With the Wind” or “Ben Hur.” Had a hard time staying awake through them.

My Motive to Write

Posted in Controllers, Important things, Liberals, Politally Correct by
Daily writing prompt
What do you enjoy most about writing?
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I found this prompt intriguing.  When I was a kid, I hated writing.  Now I have several full sized books.  Some people actually enjoy reading them.  However, it has gotten to the point I would write if no one read any of it.  Needless to say, hardly anyone does.

I originally started writing posts in hopes of bringing some to my author’s page.  Then, of course, the idea was that I would start selling books by the millions.  Unfortunately for me, it didn’t happen that way, although I have had some success in getting a few more to read my books.

My first book, “The Secret of the Ring,” I began in the mid eighties in hopes that I might discourage people from abusing drugs.  The hope that someone might enjoy it was somewhat secondary.

Some people liked the book and encouraged a sequel.  Now I have about 35 and I am working on two more.  Unfortunately, I don’t have the money for a good professional editor.  I have problems with words like there, their, and they’re.  I know which ones to use but if I am not really careful, I’ll use the wrong one.

Then I see this question, “What do you enjoy about writing.”  I’ll tell you.  I don’t know.  I simply did not realize till now I had not thought about it.  I guess, to some degree, it is in hopes of doing some good, but it’s more.  I just sit down at a keyboard and, next thing I know, words start appearing on the screen.

The hitch is that they are not always the right words.  Worse, sometimes I leave words out or I use too many of them.  I have a tendency to use 12 words when 8 are better.  There have been a few times, while proof reading, I can’t figure out what I was trying to say.  I end up having to rewrite a page or two.  No one, not even I will know what my original thought was.

Then there are times it simply does not turn out the way I want it.  I restarted “The Other Mission” many times, throwing away 50 or 60 pages at a time.  One time I have it starting out one country.  The next time, I started out in another country.  I’m still not really happy with it, but, if you like a story twist, you will like this one.  As I wrote, even I didn’t believe it.  Yet it all worked out perfectly.  I wish I could say it was as I intended.

I guess, in a way that is one reason I write.  I rarely use outlines.  As I write, the story unfolds before my eyes somewhat as if I were reading the story.

Also, strange as it may seem, I try to take on the characterization of each character.  It means, at times, I must think as a villain.  It sort of scares me to realize how much I enjoy it.

When I started the posts, I explained from the beginning that I had no intention of writing on any one thing.  Sometimes, it’s politics.  Other times, it’s Christianity.  I have hoped to do some good on both subjects.

Then, of course, there are the advertising and advertisers.  Sometimes they can be really dumb.  I guess one of my latest subjects I’ve been hammering on is the advertising of marijuana products on TV and radio.  Some would consider that progress.  Many of the same people like the idea of letting dangerous criminals out without bail.  It is sort of a pattern with them.  The never want to take a good look at the consequences.

It has likely done little good for me to get on my soapbox and write.  However, it doesn’t stop me from trying.  If somehow, maybe by accident, I do some good, I’ll settle for that.

I know I didn’t really answer the question.  Then again, when I don’t understand it myself, how can I.

Oh, just before posting this, I thought one reason to write.  Legit complaints.  I hope, some of those CEOs will read what I wrote.  Then maybe, just maybe they will stop packaging things so we need a butcher knife to open them.  (That is dangerous you know)

I found this prompt intriguing.  When I was a kid, I hated writing.  Now I have several full sized books.  Some people actually enjoy reading them.  However, it has gotten to the point I would write if no one read any of it.  Needless to say, hardly anyone does.I originally started writing posts in hopes of bringing some to my author’s page.  Then, of course, the idea was that I would start selling books by the millions.  Unfortunately for me, it didn’t happen that way, although I have had some success in getting a few more to read my books.My first book, “The Secret of the Ring,” I began in the mid eighties in hopes that I might discourage people from abusing drugs.  The hope that someone might enjoy it was somewhat secondary.Some people liked the book and encouraged a sequel.  Now I have about 35 and I am working on two more.  Unfortunately, I don’t have the money for a good professional editor.  I have problems with words like there, their, and they’re.  I know which ones to use but if I am not really careful, I’ll use the wrong one.Then I see this question, “What do you enjoy about writing.”  I’ll tell you.  I don’t know.  I simply did not realize till now I had not thought about it.  I guess, to some degree, it is in hopes of doing some good, but it’s more.  I just sit down at a keyboard and, next thing I know, words start appearing on the screen.The hitch is that they are not always the right words.  Worse, sometimes I leave words out or I use too many of them.  I have a tendency to use 12 words when 8 are better.  There have been a few times, while proof reading, I can’t figure out what I was trying to say.  I end up having to rewrite a page or two.  No one, not even I will know what my original thought was.Then there are times it simply does not turn out the way I want it.  I restarted “The Other Mission” many times, throwing away 50 or 60 pages at a time.  One time I have it starting out one country.  The next time, I started out in another country.  I’m still not really happy with it, but, if you like a story twist, you will like this one.  As I wrote, even I didn’t believe it.  Yet it all worked out perfectly.  I wish I could say it was as I intended.I guess, in a way that is one reason I write.  I rarely use outlines.  As I write, the story unfolds before my eyes somewhat as if I were reading the story.Also, strange as it may seem, I try to take on the characterization of each character.  It means, at times, I must think as a villain.  It sort of scares me to realize how much I enjoy it.When I started the posts, I explained from the beginning that I had no intention of writing on any one thing.  Sometimes, it’s politics.  Other times, it’s Christianity.  I have hoped to do some good on both subjects.Then, of course, there are the advertising and advertisers.  Sometimes they can be really dumb.  I guess one of my latest subjects I’ve been hammering on is the advertising of marijuana products on TV and radio.  Some would consider that progress.  Many of the same people like the idea of letting dangerous criminals out without bail.  It is sort of a pattern with them.  The never want to take a good look at the consequences.It has likely done little good for me to get on my soapbox and write.  However, it doesn’t stop me from trying.  If somehow, maybe by accident, I do some good, I’ll settle for that.I know I didn’t really answer the question.  Then again, when I don’t understand it myself, how can I.Oh, just before posting this, I thought one reason to write.  Legit complaints.  I hope, some of those CEOs will read what I wrote.  Then maybe, just maybe they will stop packaging things so they can’t be opened without t butcher knife.  (That is dangerous you know)

Goals and Hopes

Posted in Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
What do you love about where you live?
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It was not my plan to stay here. The plans were temporary. At the time I knew little or nothing about Mississippi. I settled in here for two reasons. It was affordable and it was near the job I had in Memphis. I had hopes of getting my feet back on the ground after my discharge from the Marines. It took close to 6 months to get a good paying job and my wife had to work for a while to help me out. In addition, we did have a small loan we needed to pay off.

It seemed every time it looked like we might get something larger, we had a reversal. So, here I am, in the home that we purchased on a temporary basis.

Nonetheless, it has been a good home in a good neighborhood. We have had good neighbors who have been helpful from time to time. I certainly can’t say I have much to complain of other than the explosion of population. The traffic is growing faster than the highways and every time I turn around, they are building new houses or apartments.

Until the China virus, there was a wide selection of places to eat. There are still many places, but not as much. Moreover, the quality has taken a big hit. Then again, I am sure that can be said of most places.

IF we do need something from the big city, for instance an airport, we are not far away. I guess about 30 minutes away and much of that is getting to the interstate. We have baseball, basketball, college football and some really nice Little League fields nearby.

There are many churches and each one is nicer than the other. Many of them teach the Bible right, though I must admit some are errant in their doctrine.

The crime rate here south of the state line is still relatively low. I have no fear of going out after dark but I am a little more alert these days. I like to walk in the evenings in the summer. It’s not quite as hot.

Perhaps one aspect of the area is the schools. They are, I would guess some of the best in the country. I’m not just talking academics. They have been safe and much better about what the teach. We did have a few issues but they were quickly resolved. However, my sons are now 49 and 53. It has been a long time since I had a child in school. I can only go by what I see going on around me, which seems good. Apparently, the parents in Memphis like Desoto County Schools too. Though illegal, they keep bringing their children down here to get the better education.

Would I move away if I could. I don’t know. The people are nice here. The big problem is that attic. I’d have to employee a small team to bring all that stuff down and find something to do with it. Nonetheless, mostly all the goals and hopes are gone. Now, it’s simply a matter of hanging on a few more years.

Plan Goals?

Posted in Growing Old by
Daily writing prompt
How do you plan your goals?
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Planning goals? Now that’s a new one. I thought they just sort of happened. I mean, what you do is you put your shoulder to the, now let me see. What is it that we are supposed to put our shoulder to.

Well. It doesn’t matter. One thing I do know. If you plan goals, stand by. Those goals are just very likely going to be obliterated. I mean look at those folks over in Hawaii. Many of them had goals. A lot of them thought they were going to see their dreams come true. I mean, they were living in a tropical paradise. Then, whoosh. In less than a night, they see those dreams literally go up in flames.

Actually, I have been trying to avoid the subject of that fire. I hear enough of that on TV and radio. I couldn’t help it though. It just kind of spilled out. Yes, I do make plans. I do set goals. The thing is reality keeps stepping in the way.

When I was still reasonably young I hoped to buy one of those nice motor homes and I’d just go around from city to city and state to state and see this country. Well, as I said, reality got in the way. It is wonderful how computers have grown small, inexpensive and reliable. However, my job used to be fixing the things and I made a good living at it. Then one day the boss called me in and told me my services would no longer be needed.

I was actually quite good at fixing the things. I could tell you stories, but it would just bore you.

After that, for three years, I had one one of the best jobs in the world. I taught electronics at the Navy base. Now that was wonderful. It didn’t pay that well, but it combined two things I really, really liked, electronics and teaching. I dare say, I got good at it.

However, one day, President Reagan said tear down this wall, so they did. Suddenly, peace broke out. Don’t get me wrong. I like peace. It is far better than war. However, out of the 11 instructors, they they kept 4. Almost everyone there had been there longer than me. The odds were against me. A few months later and I was again looking for a job.

The point I am trying to make, not so eloquently, is that sometimes, it is not enough to have goals. Sometimes you have to be ready for that day when reality hits you in the jaw and the goals are shattered. The ones who really succeed I guess are the ones who succeed when their goals don’t

Almost bought one of those motor homes a few years ago, a used one. In a way, I wish I had. Then again, I figured if I did, and something went wrong with it, it would just be another case of reality getting in the way.

Nowadays, as old as I am, my goals are simple. Hold on till I die, and do what I can to help others ovoid the little mistakes I made. And, oh yes, sell a few books; maybe a million or two. Maybe then I could get my motor home.

Anticipation

Posted in Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
Create an emergency preparedness plan.
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Old Carly Simon Song. I kind of liked it. Now that I remember it, I just might download a copy. Sort of beside the point. I am supposed to be writing about preparing for an emergency. It really is an important subject. However, those of us that are old, we have limitations. I mean, at best I can get a 3 month’s supply of medicines. Moreover, I do have many of them. There is the one for blood pressure, for cholesterol, and, well, enough info. Maybe too much. However, without the meds I would be in bad shape. It’s not just that I’d die. Things would start malfunctioning. I would be subject to strokes heart attacks, liver or kidney problems. Do you have any idea how bad things can be when their sugar gets out of balance. Strokes can cause permanent paralysis. The fact is, it’s just not a pretty picture.

At best, there are times I am down to 1 week of meds. It would be a very bad time to have an emergency. It’s a shame, as far as I know, no one will permit diabetics to be preppers. I mean, it is a good idea to make sure we have food and water, but what about a few weeks of insulin, which requires refrigeration.

For these reasons, I was prepared to pass on this subject. I almost did. Then I thought about writing about preparations I took note of that others have done. I don’t know if anyone will like it but as for me, I just keep a dozen cans of spam, veggies and fruits around. I have plenty of packages of rice and noodles around too. Even regular packaging will last a couple of years as long as you use the old and store the fresh. I guess my weak point is water but I do keep a few gallons of water around. I mean, you never know. A city not far from me had to go a week without running water. Can you imagine having to go to the local motel 6 to get a shower and brush your teeth. By the way, that’s not funny.

I suppose the ones that really have the advantage are those that can take off in their RV. Sometimes a small family can live in an RV for a week. In a bad emergency, maybe a month. The nice thing there is that it does not take long to make your escape. That is of course assuming the trailer or motor-home is kept in a ready state.

I have often considered, if I had to money, to just get an RV and move down to the gulf coast. The weather’s nice and the land is inexpensive. If I lived in the motor home, every time I heard them say “hurricane,” I’d hook up the car to the back of the motor home and dash away up north. The weather is nicer in California, but the earthquakes don’t come with warnings.

Those of us that can’t afford RV’s might have to settle for a small trailer. Just put all the things you need for, oh about a month. Then if you get the warning in time, hook up the trailer and take off. In the old days, that was simpler. Almost all cars were big enough to tow a trailer. Not so much these days. You might want to think about getting a bigger car.

If worse comes to worst, you just might have to do as the rest of us. Keep the supplies in cases that can be quickly loaded in the trunk. If you get the warning in time, then load up and head for the hills. If you don’t have enough warning, you might just have to head for hills

To be sure, in the old days, they kind of had the right idea. They built the houses on high foundations and made sure the old shelter was ready. My wife’s grandmother had a storm shelter built. It didn’t take much. About half of it was below ground and the top was covered by steel re-enforced concrete. They took shelter in it many times as the tornadoes passed by. Fortunately, her house never got hit, but those tornadoes don’t give much warning.

My aunt had a big professional shelter put in. It was large enough for 4 for two weeks. The two of them took shelter in it a few times back in he seventies. It had batteries and plenty of storage for water and supplies. It also had an air pump and high quality filters. It was designed for storms and bombs. I guess that is okay for some, but I don’t don’t know if I could stand to stay down there for two days, let alone two weeks.

I suppose, if some kind of emergency were to come along, I will be like most, wishing I prepared more. Then again, if you lived through as much as I have, you have a tendency to get just a little complacent. The worst I went through was what the called “Hurricane Elvis.” It was a straight wind of about 100 mph, or at least that was what I was told. We were without electricity for over a week. Some were with power for a month or more. I mean that storm was mean. And unlike a real hurricane, it came without any warning at all.

With this in mind, I’m guessing one of the best investments a person can make for emergencies is a generator. Going without electricity for extended time is a real bummer. Just make sure you do it right. If you use it, don’t let the carbon monoxide in the house. That can be more deadly than the storm. Also, make sure you don’t start a fire with an extension cord. The biggest air conditioner in the world won’t do any good if the house burns down.

Emergencies

Posted in Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
Create an emergency preparedness plan.
View all responses

Old Carly Simon Song. I kind of liked it. Now that I remember it, I just might download a copy. Sort of beside the point. I am supposed to be writing about preparing for an emergency. It really is an important subject. However, those of us that are old, we have limitations. I mean, at best I can get a 3 month’s supply of medicines. Moreover, I do have many of them. There is the one for blood pressure, for cholesterol, and, well, enough info. Maybe too much. However, without the meds I would be in bad shape. It’s not just that I’d die. Things would start malfunctioning. I would be subject to strokes heart attacks, liver or kidney problems. Do you have any idea how bad things can be when their sugar gets out of balance. Strokes can cause permanent paralysis. The fact is, it’s just not a pretty picture.

At best, there are times I am down to 1 week of meds. It would be a very bad time to have an emergency. It’s a shame, as far as I know, no one will permit diabetics to be preppers. I mean, it is a good idea to make sure we have food and water, but what about a few weeks of insulin, which requires refrigeration.

For these reasons, I was prepared to pass on this subject. I almost did. Then I thought about writing about preparations I took note of that others have done. I don’t know if anyone will like it but as for me, I just keep a dozen cans of spam, veggies and fruits around. I have plenty of packages of rice and noodles around too. Even regular packaging will last a couple of years as long as you use the old and store the fresh. I guess my weak point is water but I do keep a few gallons of water around. I mean, you never know. A city not far from me had to go a week without running water. Can you imagine having to go to the local motel 6 to get a shower and brush your teeth. By the way, that’s not funny.

I suppose the ones that really have the advantage are those that can take off in their RV. Sometimes a small family can live in an RV for a week. In a bad emergency, maybe a month. The nice thing there is that it does not take long to make your escape. That is of course assuming the trailer or motor-home is kept in a ready state.

I have often considered, if I had money, if people would just start buying my books, I just might get an RV and move down to the gulf coast. The weather’s nice and the land is inexpensive. If I lived in the motor home, every time I heard them say “hurricane,” I’d hook up the car to the back of the motor home and dash away up north. The weather is nicer in California, but the earthquakes don’t come with warnings.

Those of us that can’t afford RV’s might have to settle for a small trailer. Just put all the things you need for about a month. Then if you get the warning in time, hook up the trailer and take off. In the old days, that was simpler. Almost all cars were big enough to tow a trailer. Not so much these days. You might want to think about getting a bigger car.

If worse comes to worst, you just might have to do as the rest of us. Keep the supplies in cases that can be quickly loaded in the trunk. If you get the warning in time, then load up and head for the hills. If you don’t have enough warning, you just head for hills

To be sure, in the old days, they kind of had the right idea. They built the houses on high foundations and made sure the old shelter was ready. My wife’s grandmother had a storm shelter built. It didn’t take much. About half of it was below ground and the top was covered by steel re-enforced concrete. They took shelter in it many times as the tornadoes passed by. Fortunately, her house never got hit, but those tornadoes don’t give much warning.

My aunt had a big professional shelter put in. It was large enough for 4 for two weeks. My aunt and uncle took shelter in it a few times back in he seventies. It had batteries and plenty of storage for water and supplies. It also had an air pump and high quality filters. It was designed for storms and bombs. I guess that is okay for some, but I don’t don’t know if I could to stay down there for two days, let alone two weeks.

I suppose, if some kind of emergency were to come along, I will be like most, wishing I prepared more. Then again, if you lived through as much as I have, you have a tendency to get just a little complacent. The worst I went through was what the called “Hurricane Elvis.” It was a straight wind of about 100 mph, or at least that was what I was told. We were without electricity for over a week. Some were with power for a month or more. I mean that storm was mean. And unlike a real hurricane, it came without warning.

With this in mind, I’m guessing one of the best investments a person can make for emergencies is a generator. Going without electricity for extended time is a real bummer. Just make sure you do it right. If you use it, don’t let the carbon monoxide in the house. That can be more deadly than the storm. Also, make sure you don’t start a fire with an extension cord. The biggest air conditioner in the world won’t do any good if the house burns down.

So

Posted in Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
What is a word you feel that too many people use?
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So, I already wrote a post on this one. I guess folks have slacked off a little, but it got to the point that people were using it to start every other sentence. So.. it was driving me nuts. I can’t remember how far back it was I wrote it. So, if you want to read the original post you’ll need to just look for it.

I can’t complain to much. I am sure people have noticed words I use too frequently. Still, it did get to the point that I wondered if someone made a new rule to the English language. I guess I wrote enough about that little word. So, I won’t write on it anymore.

Oddly a Heart Attack

Posted in Christian values by
Daily writing prompt
What brings you peace?
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I have always had this fear of dying, maybe a little more than others. Then a few days before my 50th birthday I went into the hospital with a little pain near my left shoulder blade. After some tests, they decided to do a cath test of my heart. It revealed a 90% blockage of a main artery. I mean I was a walking talking heart attack waiting to happen. However, up this this point, all I had was a little pain.

The doctor decided to put a stint in to help the blood flow. As he was working on it, I started feeling two spots of burning pain, one on each side of my breast bone. Then I started feeling nausea and dizzy. I figured this was it. The death I feared was very near. I felt panic and fear. I also felt pain.

Finally, I just gave up. In my mind, I said, “Well, I guess this is it. In just a while, I’ll see Jesus face to face.” Suddenly, the fear and panic were gone. Just a short time later, the pain went away too. There on that table during that procedure, I felt the presents of Jesus.

As I said many times before, I was saved at 13. However, there on that table, during that procedure, I felt a peace that most will never understand. I knew that if I had died then and there, Jesus was right there to take care of me.

He didn’t take me that day, but it changed my life, my outlook. I still fear death. However, I do feel a peace about it. I know that when my time comes, Jesus will be right there. He will help me through it and He will take me home.

That day at that time, I never felt so much peace before or since, odd as that might seem in the midst of a heart attack.

Incidentally, what caused the pain was a small piece of plaque that broke loose and floated downstream blocking a smaller artery. It did kill a small part of my heart. It’s still not something I ever want to go through again, but if and when it happens, I know Jesus will be there to take care of me.

I can’t imagine anyone wanting to go through something like that without Jesus. I strongly suggest you accept Jesus as your savior. I am sure that if you don’t and something like that happens to you, you will not be feeling peace. You do not want to face Jesus without accepting Him as your savior. It would be far better for you to feel the same peace I did. Now, at 73, I am more sure of that then ever.