Never before given it any thought. Blue is my favorite color, especially royal blue. That would go good with silver, if possible. Yellow might not be the best color but it is bright, eye catching. It does kind of make a statement. But what to pair it with? With white it wouldn’t show up well. Not too keen on looking liking like a bunch of bees in black and yellow.

As for mascot, I would like the regal eagle but that has already been taken. How about raging wolves? I think I like that and I don’t think anyone has yet chosen it, though I might be wrong,.

Do you suppose they would let me get away with black and white stripes? Maybe not? Still I wonder if there is a rule against it.

Well, it is my dream world, right? I want Regal Eagles and red, white and blue. If anyone complains, too bad.

Daily writing prompt

If you started a sports team, what would the colors and mascot be?

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Maybe this isn’t a proper reply. I guess I am pretty well traveled. I have been about all over southern California, including much of Camp Pendleton, mostly while afoot and and running.

I have been almost totally from one end of I-40 to the other. I have also been along much of Route 66 before I-40 was half done. Speaking of visiting cities, there must have been at least 30 cities along 66 just in California alone. Seemed every time we got up to speed, we had to slow for another town.

I have flown most of the various aircraft, including, C-117, & C-130. And I have flown into & out of Los Angeles, Dallas, Sydney, Da Nang, Ft. Smith…. You get the idea.

Getting back to the question, my thought is a little different. I’d sort of like to see all the US cities… with an RV… about 30 feet. I’d visit the northern ones in the summer and the southern ones in the winter. It has been a life long dream.

Now, I know. That’s not going to happen. I have a wife and 2 sons instead.

Daily writing prompt

What cities do you want to visit?

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As I mentioned, my wife has been in the hospital for the last few weeks. I have been visiting her daily. Naturally, the only parking spaces are a mile from the hospital. Naturally, I have to walk another half a mile inside the hospital to get to her room. Altogether, that is a 3 miles a day.

At 78, you would think I could park in a handicap parking space but unfortunately, old age is not listed as a handicap in Mississippi. Not yet anyway. Maybe after my funeral.

Daily writing prompt

What are your favorite physical activities or exercises?

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Just last night, I saw a doe and buck just off the road grazing. They hardly moved as I drove by.

When I first moved down here (about 4 decades ago), we used to see them regular and in groups. Not so much these days. I guess the population is beginning to drive them away. It is a shame. I enjoy watching them, especially when they have one or two young ones with them.

There are still enough of them we need to keep an eye out for them, although I do believe the deer are becoming wise to the autos.

On the other hand, if you want to count the squirls, I see them about every day. I have to be ready to hit the brake. The things get out in the middle of the street. Then when they see me coming, they stop and can’t figure out which way to go whilst I wait for them to make up their minds.

Obviously, we do see birds now and then. I have even seen the squirls chase the birds or visa versa.

Regardless, I would like to be able to watch the deer now and then. Unfortunately, there was nowhere for me to pull the car over. Besides, I think if I had stopped, it would have scared them off.

Daily writing prompt

Do you ever see wild animals?

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At least I thought so.

Thanksgiving: turkey and dressing

Christmas: Ham, sometimes turkey and dressing or both

Forth of July : Fried chicken

Whatever the meat, it must include mashed potatoes and gravy. In the case of 4th of July, a good potato salad will also work especially if a picnic.

no bout a doubt it. Those are the absolute rules. No excuses

Daily writing prompt

Do you or your family make any special dishes for the holidays?

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It would mean I could put in a longer work day and retire far earlier. It would mean I could have also spent more time with the family. Splitting the extra time between work and family would certainly be the obvious big advantages. However, if you think about it there are many side benefits.

I would guess half of my 900 sq ft house is devoted to sleeping. I could use that space in other ways. It would effectively double the useful space in my home. On the other hand, I could make do with a a smaller home.

Oddly, it might do away wit the need for a home altogether. It might be a little inconvenient, but if I don’t have to have a place to sleep, then I would not need any more than a place to keep my things. That might be a simple 100 sq feet.

Much of what we buy and have is so that we have a nice comfy place to lay our head.

My aside, that would put a lot of mattress makers out of work.

Daily writing prompt

If you didn’t need sleep, what would you do with all the extra time?

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I went to junior college for a semester, to study electronics. (long story) At any rate, I talked to a few people who were learning to weld. I became familiar with the logic behind it. Now, from time to time I find myself wanted to be able to weld to build some various things or to mend things that were broke.

I have seen people weld and I must say that I wish I could do that. On the other hand, people can really get hurt with that stuff. Maybe it is good that an accident prone person as me never leaned such a thing. Still, maybe it would be nice to know someone who can weld.

Daily writing prompt

What skill would you like to learn?

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I really don’t like hard work. Physical work is no fun. It makes me tired. Frequently, it does no good. I mow the yard and in a few days, it is as if I never did. I trim hedges and in a short time, it is as if I did nothing. I wash my car and it gets dirty again. I have just about come to the conclusion that there is hardly any kind of work that isn’t reversable.

Well, there is one kind of work that can’t ever be wasted. The work that you put into raising your kids. Now that work is never wasted. If you do it right, it will always make you fulfilled.

I suppose, in a way, the same can be said about teaching. It is a shame so many teachers don’t feel that way these days. It is certainly a shame that that the teachers unions don’t feel that way. It is especially bad that those in the Department of Education do not feel that way. Certainly, those in the Department of Education cannot say they are proud of what they are doing, that is, unless their desire is to promote failure.

Daily writing prompt

In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled?

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One of the things my marine drill instructor said, “Never own anything you can’t carry on your back.” It might not be the best or most important thing to remember, but it is certainly worth a thought or two. It is interesting what all a person can collect during my 76 years. Most of it I don’t need. Much of it, I forgot I have. To be sure, at the time I acquired them, I must have needed them, or at least I thought I did.

Now my house is cluttered. I have a storage room full. And my attic is full. I have just about reached a point I can’t buy anything else unless I get rid of something. Actually, I have gotten rid of a lot. I get a stack and I throw away two things and keep one. And, somehow, my stack of things I will keep is bigger than the original stack. Now how in the world does that happen?

To be sure, to limit my possessions to that which I am able to carry is maybe a little too restrictive, but it is a good guide line. I think there is a lot to be said for those who live out of a travel trailer. That way, it is sort of self restricting. Even now as I sit here, I have from time-to-time considered selling the house and buy a trailer. The problem there is… how do I get rid of all the stuff, which I don’t really need.

Let me throw this one on for an extra. There was a mantra we were required to repeat a dozen or so times every day while I was in boot camp. “The road to hell is paved by the bleached bones of marines who did not plan ahead.” I don’t know about you, but I think there is some true wisdom in there, even if you were never a marine. I have found things never go as well when I lack the planning.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

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I really want to walk 2 miles a day; however, when it is hot, I just can’t handle it. Cold is uncomfortable, but with two coats and two pairs of trousers, I can deal with it. Nonetheless, I get all the exercise nowadays working on my backyard. During the pandemic I came down with the virus and did nothing for a while. The backyard had bushes that grew to four to five feet. I’m still working on them. This of course while hauling a fallen tree little by little and all the other little stuff.

At 76, I work 15 to 20 minutes and then come back into my easy chair, drink cold water and cool off next to my 8000 btu air conditioner. That generally takes about half an hour.

One of these days, I will get back to just walking.

Daily writing prompt

How often do you walk or run?

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