What’s one thing you know now that would have saved your younger self a lot of pain? – Asks the daily prompt.
That is one long list to sort through on a Sunday morning. I guess I’ll go with the knowledge that you don’t have to drink or can drink in moderation.
I don’t get the impression people share a lot of their past experiences and the knowledge and wisdom they gained with others. I’m guilty of it myself. There are a lot of young people who could use some sage advice. Not that all will take it but if it helps some why not. Though watch what sage you choose to take advice from. There are many different paths to happiness.
Just a few things off the top of my head.
Life is short and goes by fast, but don’t live it day to day like there is no tomorrow.
You get one body, take good care of it. Stay active.
Love is great, love is tough, love changes over time.
Work hard. Give an honest day’s effort. But save the best for your own interests and desires.
Playing or coaching sports is immanently more fun than watching it, gambling on it or fantasizing about it.
Try to peacefully coexist with people, nature, environment, because it benefits all of us.
Compassion, empathy, charity are not weak traits.
Smile, laugh a lot, share your emotions.
If you are lucky enough to have children and grandchildren that love you, you have life by the tail.
Caught this yesterday just after sunrise coming into Ocean City MD. Photo by Mike Hartley
The daily prompt wants me to – Tell us about your morning routine.
I wake up early. I stretch out a bit, hit my home office, check email and then get to work on the morning posts here. Oh, before I sit down, I get my morning Coke. I never was a coffee drinker.
Before I write I always step outside no matter what the weather is to check out the morning and sometimes the animals that greet me by surprise before daylight hits.
After I write for a short bit, I check the news of the morning and usually get on the treadmill for a bit.
As far as eating sometimes, I’ll have a full breakfast and other times nothing.
What’s the best way to meet new people while traveling? – Asks the daily prompt.
Being I’m not an experienced traveler; buyer beware of advice.
My first thought was to turn my phone off and put it away. That way my head is up and attention to meeting other people is possible. Sounds kind of simple. But everywhere I go that seems to be the case most of the time. People’s faces buried in their devices.
Ask a question, introduce yourself.
Maybe if you see people you’re traveling with dining at the same times or spots see if they want to join you.
Ask locals about traditions or what they think is special about their community. Lots of people like to talk about where they live. Watch out for the negative ones though.
Being an amateur photographer, I ask others what they might be shooting with and how they like it and of course where good spots are in the area.
Those were just a few off the top of my head. I’m no world traveler. When I was younger and traveled a little bit with my mom I learned. Be respectful, be positive, ask questions, express thanks for help and suggestions or time and the company.
If Aliens arrived tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d ask them? – I dislike these type questions from the daily prompt.
Okay, I’ll play along.
What’s with the big heads?
How many galaxies per gallon does that thing get?
Why did you decide to land on the armpit of the universe?
You think that thing is fun, let me take you for a ride in my Miata.
Well, you landed in Maryland, let me teach you how to eat crabs from the Chesapeake Bay. Also, you’re going to need special driving lessons for this state.
But seriously, maybe there are some questions that we should ask ourselves each day.
Did I touch base with family and friends and tell them I love them.
Did I improve others day.
Did I respect my environment.
Did I learn something.
Did I share something I know or a skill.
Did I smile and say kind things.
Did I accomplish something.
Did I have fun.
Did I do things people will remember me fondly for.
Sunset over the Rt 90 bridge coming into Ocean City. Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s the most underrated life skill? – Asks the daily prompt.
This is a tough one; I’m torn between 3 of them. Decision Making – Problem Solving and even though I don’t see this on many lists I’ll add Common Sense.
I was going to say Empathyand Compassion, but a large segment of the population has ditched this ability.
Here are a couple of underrated life skills some might not think of and some of my personal favorites off the top of my head this morning.
I’m glad I grew up thinking without the help of the internet. It taught me to not give up and find the answers myself.
Coping with loss is a unique life skill I haven’t mastered yet.
Knowing your circuit breaker panel.
Being married to the same person all your life and being happy. Well, most of the time at least.
Being a good driver is an underrated skill. It’s kept me alive hundreds of times.
Knowing that your friends know that you can be counted on.
Listening to doctors instead of politicians.
Having the courage and drive to not give up and pursue your dreams.
Swinging a hammer without hitting fingers.
Having a great memory is so important.
Go ahead and be outspoken, most don’t have the courage to say what is on their mind and they need a voice.
Knowing where the flashlight is when the power goes out.
Don’t go through life without having cut loose a few times.
Being able to create an image, story, painting, song, film. engine or anything creative and beautiful is an underrated skill.
Pit crew – skills combined and multiplied. Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you live by? – Asks the daily prompt.
No one philosophy, but I guess a hodgepodge of little ones. I try to be a loving person. My mom taught me to look for good in people. In a short time, my dad taught me courage. I try to be a good father, husband and friend. I work hard and play hard. I respect till I’m disrespected.
Mantra for each of my personalities.
Personal – Love, Laugh, Appreciate
Professional – It ain’t going to get done looking at it.
Driver – Miata is always the answer. The Camaro was my first love. V-Twins rule the world.
Hobbyist – Create it, Share it.
The Other Side – The Doctor is in. Kickstart My Heart
What’s the best way to explore a new city? – Asks the daily prompt.
Do some investigation on what you would like to see and do before going. Have plans for good and bad weather. Study transportation and food. The less spur of the moment things you have to decide on the better.
Then go and have a good time. Be flexible. Ask people when you get there about your assumptions. When you’re there note places, you would like to go next time.
And don’t forget to be a human being. Respect local culture and traditions. Be courteous and not that ugly American.
Oh, don’t forget getting there and back. We discovered the train and that was the perfect solution for this city. We will be taking it to other cities.
Things worked out for us on our first visit to NYC earlier this year.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Sometimes it’s helpful to get an overview of the city.
What’s a moment in your life that made you feel truly alive? – asks the daily prompt.
Wow, I guess I’m lucky. I had a lot of things pop to mind when I read that question. Falling in love, watching my children being born, 145 mph on a motorcycle, holding each of my grandchildren for the first time and every time I see them.
The hour ride with the top down yesterday I was feeling truly alive again. And again, this morning when I woke up, thankful as I am each day I open my eyes and I’m able to get vertical.
If you ever rang a bell at a hospital, you feel alive. Maybe not your best, but you’re on your way.
I like finding something each day to make me feel truly alive.
The genie grants you a wish. What is it? – A question from the daily prompt
More wishes.
Just kidding. The first thought that rolled through my mind was health and happiness for my family. And then my personal selfish wish that summer was just starting again.
Now a question for you all. How much time do you spend wishing?
For me it’s a fleeting thing.
Oh, I wish I had got two scoops instead of one. It would be nice to have that 69 Camaro as one goes by. When I was working, I would wish it wasn’t Monday again.
If it’s something I’m going to spend time wishing for I’ll spend it working on that. Like my art. Usually at the end of the day, I end up wishing I was a better artist and then I’m inspired when I wake up to get to work on being a better one.
Baltimore Harbor with Domino Sugar plant in background. Photo by Mike Hartley
What are your favorite side-hustle ideas? – Asks the daily prompt.
Side hustle ideas used to flow like water but since retirement, they have disappeared. But I’ll play along for a bit this morning.
Being I have a new mower maybe I’ll cut neighbors yards being they all have these services that charge an arm and a leg to come each week. I could undercut them and still make a nice profit. I would have to hire a young kid for the trimming and blower cleanup.
I like detailing my own car and I can see doing others.
Writing a book is something that I’m slowly working on so I guess that could be seen as a side hustle. But I’m not writing it to make money.
I’m going to keep all my paintings hidden till I pass where they will become famous when seen and my kids will make a fortune off it.
What are five simple exercises to do at home? – Asks the daily prompt.
I’ll have some fun with this first.
Mow yard – Clean gutters – Powerwash deck – Put mulch down – Shovel snow
I try to do the treadmill, work my upper half with some dumbbells, and lots of stretching w/exercise bands. Try to stay mentally sharp. Oh yeah, the grandkids make me run up the street as they leave with their parents.
Which relationship has taught you the most about yourself? – Interesting ask from the daily prompt.
Being I’m approaching 5 decades of marriage to my better half, it’s certainly her. So many things we’ve been through together and learned through that time. Some very fun lessons and some difficult ones.
The relationship we have with ourselves can also be a learning one if you are honest with yourself. If you learn from the own decisions you make, then you progress. It helps to be happy with yourself so you can learn other things about yourself. Me, myself and I are always learning.
This question made me think of a lot of things different relationships have taught me. I’ve had some very close friends that have shared great insights and experiences that taught me more about myself.
Work friends who taught me things like confidence in my professional abilities. Many of these work friends became more than that and I just call them very good friends now.
I know he didn’t intend it that way. But my dad, passing a young age taught me a lot about myself. Though I think life might have been better if he could have shared his knowledge with me.
Dad showing me the proper grip on a football. This is the last shot of us together. Photo by Shirley Hartley
If you could start a new business right now, what would it be? – Asks the daily prompt.
Before I retired, I thought I would start a small business based around my hobbies. I quickly realized that is not what I wanted to do. I enjoy doing my creative arts for myself and sharing them with others.
There are a lot of things in running a business that people have no concept of. I did it once before with two partners and you wouldn’t believe the effort it takes and the time and energy you must put into it for it to have a chance to be successful.
My time now is split between my children and grandchildren, my better half, my friends and the many hobbies I enjoy.
There is one thing that I think about doing and that is if I were to be offered money for my work, I’d have them send it to one of the charities I like.
Families are doing their own portrait work now. Photo by Mike Hartley
What are some life hacks that you practice? – Asks the daily prompt. For some reason I feel like I’ve answered this one before so I’m sorry if I repeat anything from a previous post.
Be consistent and persistent if you want to get good at anything.
Take care of family.
Check in on caregivers, it’s a difficult role.
Give your loyalty to companies wisely. Many don’t deserve it. If you’re not appreciated, move on.
I like to make eye contact with people and smile.
Love animals, don’t be cruel.
Be courteous.
Be active. The more you do the better you feel.
Getting up early has always worked for me.
Knowledge is power.
The more appreciative of the small things in life, the happier you are.
The daily prompt asks – How do you write what people actually want to read?
I don’t.
I write what comes to mind. If people like it, that’s great. If they don’t, that’s fine also. I write because I like it.
Sometimes my photos will inspire a thought. Other times I just ramble on.
I think if your writing for what people want to read it’s not truly coming from you. It’s some form of what you think others want and I’m not sure that brings out the best in people’s writing.
What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? – Wow that is some ask from the daily prompt.
At first, I thought to myself I’m not that spontaneous. But as I kept coming up with answers that I couldn’t share here repeatedly, I began to laugh. So, I’ll revise that statement. I’m not spontaneous in the ways I used to be.
And that reminded me of another common statement my friends and I make often. When we see and discuss a viral video, we always say, “I’m glad there weren’t cameras in our early days.”
There were even categories of spontaneous events. Road Trips, Pick-up games, Parties, Gags and Pranks, Drag Races, Grilling, Fishing, Food trips and Concerts. Also creating various things like our own sayings that we still use 5 decades later.
The days I quit drinking and smoking were spontaneous ones.
Okay I’ll use this old one. There was a guy in our neighborhood who would yell at us for playing at one of our friend’s homes across the street. We were young teenagers just playing games outside, we used to play ping pong at his house and then back outside for some yard games.
One night while we were watching the Olympics and going outside and creating our own with excitement he called the police on us. These aren’t close homes. Half acre lots. The guys father quickly dismissed the police and they left. Later that night when I left, I remember looking over at his freshly sodded yard.
Well, I decided to give him a project the next day. I rolled up a good number of pieces and piled them neatly into a big square of sod sitting at the edge of his yard by the road. I heard my friend’s father almost died of laughter the next morning when he went out. The same officer questioned us the next day and I could see him trying not to laugh as he said I don’t want to be back out here for any calls.
What’s a place you visited that felt like home? – Asks the daily prompt.
I can’t say I’ve found a place I’ve visited that felt like home. I guess the closest thing I can think of is Bethany Beach Delaware. It doesn’t feel like home, but it could be a place I could call home.
You see we have been in this home for so long I’m not sure anyplace could ever feel like this again in the time I have left on earth. There is comfort that comes with time. Knowing the area like the back of my hand. The views, smells and sounds I’ve become accustomed to.
The hundreds of photos I have on the walls in my basement won’t be here. The little over an acre of property that I know every inch and bump of would be unfamiliar to me in another spot.
The sounds and sights I see of my children and grandchildren in this home could never be replicated someplace else. The firepit that sits in the middle of what used to be the family pool can’t be replicated.
It would take forever to learn all the spots on the wood floor that creak a bit when stepped on in another home.
In another location I wouldn’t be a bit over 2 hours from both the mountains and the ocean.
And I certainly couldn’t live without the Snowball Stand just up the street.
Not in the mood for this type of question from the daily prompt today. Maybe I just don’t feel like playing along this morning. The question – If you had to switch lives with a fictional character for a week, who would you choose.
I’m just fine being me. I don’t aspire to be someone else or imagine myself as some fictional person. I admire real traits of real people and try to be like that.
Maybe if we concentrated on the here and now, we might fix some of the ills that affect so many.
Sorry about being a grouch. I was out late with my best friend who just lost his dad, so life is a little too real to be playing this morning. It got me thinking about my own loss long ago.
I’ll be ready to play along with tomorrow’s prompt.
Flags lined headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you? – Asks the daily prompt.
Don’t give up hope. Life can be tough. But as long as you have hope, you’re working and looking to make things better. You won’t miss opportunities if your eyes are open to them.
You can see things that aren’t in front of others because of your mindset.
The daily prompt wants to know – What’s the longest trip you’ve ever taken?
I think the longest trip I’ve taken in term of time is a 10-day excursion to Florida with my best friend when we were in our early 20s. Details of that are classified or yet to be remembered.
In terms of distance, I think it was from Baltimore to Helsinki Finland. I went on a business trip for work. Some old images from Helsinki are below from a very old Kodak digital camera.
Photo by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike Hartley
Truckin, up to buffalo. been thinkin, you got to mellow slow Takes time, you pick a place to go, and just keep truckin on.
The daily prompt wants to know – What’s the best tip for budget travel?
I’m far from being a travel expert, but I did find one thing I liked that saves money and was easier. We took the train to NYC earlier this year and that is the way to go at least from our location. I think we are going to do the train to Boston next year.
Another thing I have found is that mid-week stays are usually cheaper than weekends. But that might not be true for some big cities.
With airfare and gas getting so expensive I’m guessing travel might be affected and might be a good time to get some hotel or B&B deals on destinations near you.
Who is your favorite cartoon character? – Asks the daily prompt.
Road Runner and Coyote / Bugs Bunny
I feel like I grew up in a great cartoon era. My favorites were The Bugs Bunny and Looney Tunes Shows. The Road Runner Show and Flintstones were also favorites.
When I was really young, I think I remember one called Top Cat.
Cartoons in my youthful times helped me to laugh. They were such a contrast to real life.
Oh yeah, all those dials on the tv below were real. You had to get up to change the channel and volume. Or adjust brightness and contrast but those two knobs were only on the newer sets.
How does your mindset affect your financial success? – Now there is a question that I haven’t thought of before from the daily prompt.
Your mindset affect success Big Time because it affects your decision-making process and that is very important in choosing the right job and when to make changes. Your job is your financial income in most cases. And a key to your financial success unless you’ve been left a gob of money which isn’t the case here or many others.
If you see yourself as limited or lacking confidence in your abilities, it’s going to be harder to keep moving up the ladder. If you are pessimistic that the system is rigged against you and you never invest, that can hurt.
If you don’t set some goals to improve it’s likely you will stay in the same spot now or slip back.
If your mindset says you’re responsible with carrying around money or credit cards, and you’re not, that mindset will land you in trouble.
If you have to have the latest and greatest of everything, that is going to be costly along the way and prevent you from saving most likely.
If you live a day-to-day mindset, without planning for the future, I’ve seen that leave people homeless and hungry.
Please don’t let money be your guiding light. Greed has become rampant. Do well for yourself and your family but help others along the way and we will all be better off.
If your pet could talk, what would be the first thing it says? – Asks the daily prompt.
It would be great to have a pet again but after losing so many over a long lifetime my better half says it’s too painful to go through again. Pets were always part of our lives. And I do miss them
If our past pets talked, I think they would say, “I love you too” or “how about some of the food you’re having” and maybe “let’s play again.”
Queen of the Jungle. Or our home. Photo by Mike Hartley
The daily prompt asks – Have you ever regretted reading a book – which one and why?
Sorry but the answer is no.
So, onto another question being that answer is so short.
How was your Labor Day Holiday weekend?
Mine was great. Lots of work on Friday and Saturday prepping for the kids, grandkids and some of their friends for a cookout on Sunday. On Monday we road to Kent Island to visit one of my best friends and his wife. A 4-hour boat ride on the Chesapeake Bay and Wye River were great. Then lunch at Harris’s Crab House and desserts and beverages at their home.
Hit some beach traffic on the way back but nothing too serious. About another 30 minutes to the ride home.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Any weekend with some time to spend with family and friends and not feeling rushed is a real treat.
Photo by Mike Hartley
I hope your weekend was a good one and full of great times.
What’s the most annoying trope in books or movies? – Asks the daily prompt.
Questions like this expose how little I know about books and some words. Like trope, I had to go look that one up and this is what I found.
trope
a figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression:“both clothes and illness became tropes for new attitudes toward the self””perhaps it is a mistake to use tropes and parallels in this eminently unpoetic age”
a significant or recurrent theme; a motif:“the scene echoes a common sci-fi trope””my sense that philosophy has become barren is a recurrent trope of modern philosophy”
And that further confused the F out of me with more words I don’t know the meaning of, and I have company coming today so screw this question.
This is a question I’ll send one of my good friends who works with a literary society, and she can explain it to me in terms I can understand.
The question I will answer this morning is – How many people and how many times will people bulls**t their way through questions like this and others they don’t know the answer to?
Early in life I was guilty of this, it’s a test of both courage and wanting to learn to say I don’t know and get the help or pursue the answer.
The embarrassment of lack of knowledge can force people to say some stupid stuff. Just look at our commander and chief for example. Not wanting to appear stupid is a very intimidating thing.
I’ve never been called book smart or well read. That doesn’t mean I haven’t done very well professionally and accomplished complex things in my career. You don’t have root passwords to every major system in a large company without both trust and knowledge.
I used to have a lot of confidence issues with my lack of knowledge in areas. And going through life taught me that a lot of smart people have big holes in their knowledge also.
So let me get busy learning something else new today. I’ve got to think about how to cook for a very large group today on a grill not the size for it. I’m good at figuring things like that out well. Have a great Sunday morning all.
That chill in the air this morning reminded me that Fall is coming.
The daily prompt asks – If you could relive one year of your life, which one would it be?
Sitting here, I was surprised that a year or two or more didn’t immediately pop to mind. I started recounting years and years which was leading to some frustration. Not because I didn’t recount good times but because they also came with some difficult ones as well.
Guessing there is no perfect year. So let me refine my search.
I guess it would be my 12th-13th year of life. Things were still in turmoil, my father had passed just a few years earlier, family finances were at rock bottom, I was already working part-time gigs.
Man was landing on the moon and an influential music festival – Woodstock – caught my attention. The world seemed in turmoil with Vietnam raging and civil rights fights taking place with massive political unrest and kids getting shot on campus not by some nut but our government.
I remember finding peace and solace in music and sports. And I immersed myself in those when I wasn’t in school or working. If I wasn’t on the basketball court or baseball field, I would in my room with the headphones on. It was an awakening year in many ways.
While there was chaos all around, I was at peace humming tunes from the Beatles or CSN back and forth to the courts or fields. Or in my room swinging a bat with The Who Live at Leeds on the headphones.
It’s the first year after my dad passed that I remember my mom thinking we were going to be okay. I could see it because if my memory is right that is the year she changed jobs from a bad one to a good one.
Picking up my dad’s old camera and taking some pictures became an interest that year.
A year without professional career responsibilities. A year without loves heartaches or raising a family pressure. A year with great health and abilities. A time when learning came easily.
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done when no one was watching? – Interesting ask from the daily prompt.
Comparing any difficult thing I’ve done to what a lot of people do in terms of bravery isn’t right. Those who work in the medical field or police and firemen. Those are brave people. Our service men and women, those are brave people.
I wrote about a few personal incidents that a daily prompt asked about bravery years ago, so I won’t repeat that. I thought of the time I spent caregiving but that isn’t bravery, it’s just humanity.
I was with both of my parents alone when they left this world and that was difficult.
The answer is probably simple and the same for a lot of us. It’s dealing with mental and physical pain. The kind that hurts, that only you feel and absorb and hide. To those in pain, you have my respect and sympathy. And I hope you are free of it in the future.
Below are a few shots of what I think of when I see bravery. People who made great sacrifices. I found a lot of them one day at the WWII Memorial in DC many years ago.
WW II Memorial Fountains. Photo by Mike Hartley
WWII vets are known as the Greatest Generation. My parent’s generation.
Photo by Mike Hartley
I don’t think we learned enough important lessons from them, or we wouldn’t be in the position we are in today.
What are your favorite 5 apps on your phone? – Asks the daily prompt.
This is going to be embarrassing. I’m not much of a phone user except for using it as a phone. Partly because I hate reading on something that small.
Messages/text
Phone
News
Weather
Mail
And the mail part is only reading something essential at that moment. Otherwise, I read email on the computer. News and weather are also only quick checks.
I try to keep my phone use to an hour a day and I keep it pretty close to that. I’d like to make it less but with kids that is their communication vehicle. And looking at pictures and videos of the grandkids takes time because I don’t want to miss anything.
I hate having to use my phone for tickets.
Remember when it was a dime and a rotary dial on the ones in a booth? Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s the best thing you’ve ever found randomly on the street? – Asks the daily prompt.
My first thought was cars. I love the beauty and styles of cars. But I know I share too many pictures of cars as it is. And then the true answer came to me.
A Photograph.
Barry the Bubbleman. Photo by Mike Hartley
One of his many fashion statements.
Annapolis MD. Photo by Mike Hartley
I didn’t realize I was taking so many street shots over the years. But it’s a great place for catching great moments.
An afternoon stroll with the baby. Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s the kindest thing someone has ever done for you? – Asks the daily prompt.
This is a tough one to answer because I don’t want to leave the special things anyone has done for me and I know I will.
When my mom stepped up and raised my sister and I alone at a young age was pretty special. Or when she helped with the down payment on our first home.
My better half taking care of me when recovering from surgeries is very special. And every time I’m sick is the kindest thing.
Maybe our children throwing us a surprise anniversary party a while back.
My best friend helping me move in one day, with just the two of us was extremely kind.
When my 1- & 1/2-year-old granddaughter runs at me going Papa-Papa with a huge smile. When my 4-year-old grandson grabs my hand and runs us towards the shed to get the tractor out. And anytime my 7-year-old granddaughter reaches for my hand gives it the same squeeze my daughter does.
The daily prompt asks – If the salary was the same, what job would you be doing right now and why?
It is the job I’m doing right now. It doesn’t have a salary, and I love it. I’m retired and doing a variety of things and hobbies. And I’m not sure I would like to do the things I do now professionally or for a salary because that means someone else might be making decisions.
About how I use my time. About how and what I create. About what direction to go. About what they like versus what I like. Right now, I’m my only client and I only worry about what I can do and like.
When I was in my teens I thought about becoming a photographer. I did a lot of photography for my high school yearbook and some work after that in a few college classes, but I got a job at a newspaper chain at 18 years old and became a reproduction photographer and engraver in my first few years in the business.
I got to see what photographers had to do, working assignments other people came up with most of the time. Tight deadlines, constant running and always feeling like they were compromised in their work because of time and constraints of other ideas or selections of their work.
So, what I do is capture a bit of life, share it here and on the walls of my home and in prints I give family and friends. I’m trying to put together a few exhibits in the future. At times I paint or draw and other times I carve. I get to share my hobbies and interests with my grandchildren and see their interest in things bloom.
Yeah, it would be nice to recoup the money I spend on blogging, a photo site, printer supplies, computers, art supplies, tools and cameras. But if that meant, answering to someone else, no thanks, no matter the money.
Share a hobby you’ve picked up recently – what got you into it? – Asks the daily prompt.
When I retired a little over 2 years ago, I got back to a passion that I had in high school and that was photography.
Earlier this year I picked up a few paint brushes and did a few pieces and then stopped. I also had this desire to paint long ago, and I’d like to get back to spending some time with it this fall.
Almost the same with my woodworking but I do pick that up almost every week for a few minutes at least.
Blogging started about 12 years ago so that isn’t a recent hobby but only in the last 2-4 years have I put a lot more time into it.
My hobby this weekend will be cruising some back roads with hills and curves. That way I’ll have something to share at the Maryland Miata Club meeting this coming week.
Having a convertible has its photographic advantages. Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s the weirdest coincidence you’ve ever experienced? – Asks the daily prompt.
The first one that popped into to mind was when I was walking down the beach a few years ago and saw my double. We walked past each other and then stopped I guess at the same time because we were turning around together about 10-15 feet apart. We stood there for a minute or so just looking at the spitting image of each other and then we both shook our heads and walked away.
I know I was kind of stunned and weirded out by it and I guess he had the same reaction. I have no idea why we didn’t talk but it was a strange moment in my life.
The daily prompt asks – What’s a book you never finished but still think about?
That’s an easy one. It’s not a book I didn’t finish reading. It’s the books I haven’t finished writing. I’ve gotten away from that, and I should return and finish them. That’s the downside of having an active family, lots of chores and many different hobby interests.
I’ve got a few started on various parts of my life and things I’ve observed. Like living a nocturnal lifestyle, my life in newspapers and of course a book for my children and grandchildren on life.
I was working on them earlier this year, but I’ve neglected them for a few months now. So, I’m glad this question came up so I could return to making that part of my working routine.
Which fictional world would be the most fun to vacation in? – Asks the daily prompt.
Truth be told I couldn’t name 5 fictional worlds. So, I’ll go with what’s familiar to me when my kids were you. My wife wouldn’t let the kids watch The Simpsons. I used to bring the old B&W TV into the kitchen on Monday nights when she worked evenings, and we would watch The Simpsons and laugh. So, I guess Springfield would be the first.
The only other fictional world I can remember is Naboo from Star Wars.
I’ll be watching 3 grandkids today maybe I’ll visit Bikini Bottom from SpongeBob SquarePants.
Sorry for the lame answers, just not much of a fiction fan.
The daily prompt asks – If you had to get a tattoo right now, what would it be and why?
I have nothing against tattoos, and I like the art some people create on themselves. I also don’t care for them on my body, so I’ve never given it a thought before.
But if I did, I guess I would get something I saw a couple years ago that I liked.
It said – “Shoot First and Ask Questions Later” and then a picture of a camera next to it.
Good old Kodak Film and GE flashbulbs. Photo by Mike Hartley
The daily prompt wants to know – How did you meet your significant other?
We met like people did before technology. We were at a club where live rock bands played. I think it was called the Hollywood Palace at the time. The friend I was with asked her friend to dance and we started talking at the table. In the conversation I found out where she worked and went there and asked her out for a date.
Things seem so different now with technology. But nothing really has changed. People meet one way or another. I guess what is very different is that you have a ton more information about a person when starting off. We had to learn about each other slowly and from what we said to each other and what friends told stories about over a period of time.
Nothing we did back then was recorded or taped. No cell phones for easy communication or internet to find out about someone.
Remember when you had to meet parents the first time?
I think there was a different level of respect for each other.
I guess I got lucky. We are still together and I haven’t had need meet a significant other again.
What’s a cultural tradition from your country that you love? – Asks the daily prompt.
Being very close I’ll start with Labor Day weekend cookouts. The 4th of July weekend fireworks and cookouts also.
Huge meal portions. I know, not real mannerly but I like to EAT also. Oh, we also have free refills here in the states. And speaking of huge meals there is one of our favorites here called Thanksgiving.
I was going to say Freedom but the Nazi who has assumed control here has put that at risk. Diversity in this country is also at risk due to the orange narcissists.
Halloween and the Super Bowl are big and fun events this country started.
One of my favorite holidays is Memorial Day. In honor of fallen in military service. If you have family who have served it’s an important day that many have forgotten the true meaning of which is unfortunate.
Flags for the fallen on Memorial Day weekend at Arlington. Photo by Mike Hartley
An interesting question from the daily prompt today – If you could relive one day from your past, which day would it be and why?
No one day, leapt to mind immediately on this one. The first day of retirement was pretty good. That relaxed feeling was so good and hasn’t left me since. So, I’ve been living with that for a few years now and it still feels good.
The days my children were born was wonderful but very stressful so I’m not sure I want to repeat that. Now the day they both graduated from college was a pretty great day. Relaxed, joyful, proud, inspired and happy.
Of course, the days my grandchildren were born was very special for obvious reasons.
There was a day in NYC with my better half earlier this year that was so relaxed and filled with an ease that only comes with time together.
Christmas morning with my children and grandchildren is pretty nice. It’s hard to beat the happiness I see in the children and grandchildren throughout that whole day.
That day of deep-sea fishing with the boys and catching a ton of big tuna was a blast that we haven’t repeated in a very long time.
The day my dad brought home our first pet was pretty special. One of my best memories when I was young. We were just a happy family that day. I wish it had lasted longer.
Maybe I’ll make today one that I’d like to relive in the future. Don’t know why, nothing special planned yet. But the possibility remains and that is exciting.
What’s the last movie that made you cry? – Asks the daily writing prompt.
This answer might seem strange. The movie isn’t a tearjerker. And men don’t cry. Well, I did.
I have trouble watching movies about war now. I guess the last one was Midway which was on recently. They remind me of my father who came back from WWII and Korea but died a young man from the traumas of war.
I didn’t deal with my father’s passing well. I cry more now than I did when I was 9 when it happened. I think I just pushed a lot of those feelings way down for decades and never dealt with them.
It’s funny the other day I was watching some YouTube clips and ran across a movie called Greyhound. It’s about a Destroyer escort in WWII in the Atlantic. My father was on a destroyer in WWII in the Pacific. I watched a couple of YouTube clips of it and started to choke up. It looks like a great movie that I would enjoy but I know it would be upsetting.
One of the great disappointments in my life is that I just didn’t get a chance to know my father. He was a shell of a man he was from surgeries and service experiences according to my mom. We never talked about his service. Why would he share that with someone so young anyway.
All I have is pictures and some letters from his days in the service.
Dad and I. Self-portrait I took of us 15 years ago. I didn’t intend on using this shot at all, but this post seemed a good time.
If you could erase one event from history, what would it be? – Asks the daily prompt.
My first thought was to erase World War II. I believe that war caused the greatest loss of life and the most suffering seen on earth. I might have grown up with a father if it weren’t for that and the Korean War.
Then the thought of not having Trump as our current president came to mind. Because the potential destruction this idiot might bring about could be worse.
But I’ll stick with my first choice.
Below are some shots I took at the WWII Memorial in Washington DC. The sacrifice so many made has been forgotten too soon. We need to learn from history or we repeat it.
Photo by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike HartleyPhoto by Mike Hartley
What’s a conspiracy theory you actually find believable? – Asks the daily prompt.
Personally, I don’t keep up with all the conspiracy theory’s running around. I hate the damage they cause some people who are affected by false claims. And sadly, for the people that believe them.
My example would be the Alex Jones and false claims on the Sandy Hook School shootings that killed 26 people was staged. Another good one would be the Holocaust never happened. Those types of claims further victimize people needlessly.
I’ve read through lists of them and I can’t find one I find believable. So, I’ll come up with one of my own.
I think Trump will do anything to steal, cancel or manipulate the vote this coming November to his favor.
I have never heard it put this way before. Photo by Mike Hartley
How do you deal with uncertainty? – asks the daily prompt.
Being that everything in life is uncertain, I just get busy living. I guess time and experience have given me that insight.
I wasn’t always good with it and wasted some time in my life thinking about what I couldn’t control. I used to spend time on things too far in the future that would change before that.
Yes, like every person I still have worries about all the uncertainties we face every day. Any parent or grandparent has worries about their children out in the world.
I have a type A personality and I like predictability. I do things in my life to take away uncertainties. I plan, when possible. I live in the present. I look at something that is uncertain and get busy analyzing it. Is it even important, what steps can I take to reduce the uncertainty.
Over the last two decades, I’ve had some health issues that really raise the uncertainty level to the max. The nice thing about that is it gives you a new perspective, and I’ve learned to live with uncertainty much better over that time.
It’s okay to acknowledge it, but it’s not okay to spend time dwelling in it. I guess I’ve picked up a few type B personality traits. And maybe I’ve found balance?
Don’t ask how long, use today. Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s a moment when you realized you were officially an adult? – Asks the daily prompt.
Many decades ago, when my dad died when I was 9 all the older men at the service said I was the man of the house now. I wasn’t an adult, but I grew up faster than most from this point on.
At 18 I guess it was official, and I was a working stiff and had been for some time, but I wouldn’t say I was an adult.
I guess it was when I got married at 23. But even then, I still wasn’t behaving like a true adult. Maybe at 26 when I stopped drinking for a long time. At about the same time, we were trying to start a family. That was probably it for me.
Then again, my wife purchased this sign for me which I have hanging over my office door. So maybe I haven’t hit it yet.
Which is the best restaurant in your city? – Asks the daily writing prompt.
Answering a question like this could result in a lot of questions about my answer. For instance, if I select Kelsey’s Restaurant and Bar people might say that isn’t a high-end restaurant. It has great food, a comfortable atmosphere and good service. And I can go casually dressed.
Not that I mind dressing up for a really nice place but I’m not totally comfortable in nice clothes.
If I answer with my favorite local place that we go to the most it’s not going to appear on many lists of people around here for the best restaurant but Oscars, is it for us. We went there last night, and I had avocado egg rolls and a shrimp and bacon club sandwich with unsweet tea. Great meal, great service.
If I want baby back ribs I go to the Corner Stable on York Rd. Best, I’ve ever had.
Dumsers in Ocean City and Bruster’s Ellicott City for ice cream.
Okay, the best is probably Hudson Coastal Raw Bar & Grill for seafood and Grill 620 for steaks.
For those of you not from the Maryland, Old Bay is a seasoning that we love to put on crabs and other seafood dishes. Photo by Mike Hartley
If you had a time machine and could send just one message to your past self, what would it say? – I feel like I just answered a question like this a short time ago from the daily prompt.
Message to past self at:
10-year-old me- It’s okay to cry, don’t keep all that pain inside for so many decades.
20-year-old me – Slow down on the drinking. And don’t take another 6 years doing it.
30-year-old me – The pain of loss repeatedly will be rewarded greatly, just hold on.
40-year-old me – You got your dream job at the most prestigious place in your profession. Don’t be intimidated, you’re just as smart or smarter than a lot of them.
50-year-old me – You will beat cancer.
60-year-old me – You will beat cancer again.
Yesterday – that was a great decision to relax a little and have a little fun between the chores. Now get back to work.
Turbulent Times, but that is life. Photo by Mike Hartley
Which author would you love to have dinner with? – Asks the daily prompt.
Neither were authors but wrote songs for their bands. Both are gone so having dinner with them would be tough. But I’d like to know how they wrote a bit more. I have read that Ronnie Van Zant never wrote the lyrics down to the song he wrote for Lynyrd Skynyrd. I read two terms that I think described his writing, personal and intuitive.
The other person is Neil Peart who wrote the lyrics for most of the songs for Rush. A very well-read man who crafted a huge volume of songs. Some are a little off of my interest but others so insightful and relevant. Some I’m still dissecting.
What’s a moment when a stranger completely restored your faith in people? – Asks the daily prompt.
When I see strangers stop at accident scenes to help.
Seeing a vet technician comfort someone after the loss of their pet.
When I see a young person stop to help an elderly or disabled person.
Seeing throngs of people at charity runs or events.
Watching a handful of officers fight an overwhelming riot on January 6 at our Nation’s Capital.
The invisible moments that so many contribute time and money to good causes each day.
The moment we as a majority group take control of this country again and address real problems and get working on solutions and implement them.
Watching people donate blood.
The little 5- or 6-year-old girl hooked to numerous tubes and bags of meds that sat across from me awaiting radiation treatments who was the happiest person in the world with her mother at her side. Thank you honey.
What’s the best local dish you’ve ever eaten while traveling? – The daily prompt with a food question this morning.
Wow, this is an interesting ask. I haven’t been a big traveler in my life you’re not going to get that exquisite meal description from a faraway place.
I’ll go with a simple one that is always a great memory for me. It’s when we were young and before children. Our 3 or 4 days at the beach each summer would always end with a meal at a place called Reflections in Ocean City. We didn’t have a lot back then, so we treated ourselves this one night.
Those dinners alone with my wife bring back good times.
I rarely ate like that then or now but in this place, I would just get a full course of food. Okay, let’s start with their Ceaser salad. The best Curtons I’ve ever had and the freshest parmesan cheese. Onto the best cream of crab soup I’ve ever had. Not too thick or thin, tons of huge backfin crab chunks floating on top and sherry if you so desire which I do. And they would leave that in case you wanted a little more.
Next was the bacon wrapped BBQ shrimp appetizer. Then the combo of a crabcake and filet mignon. And then we would finish with Bananas Foster which was prepared tableside. As were some other entrees which we sampled over the years. Some years before children this was followed by a walk on the beach together.
Unfortunately, they closed several years back, and we have had to discover other ocean favorites. Like Fager’s Island which has a great view and some fine dining.
Looking back at the bay from Fager’s Island. Another favorite dining spot. Photo by Mike Hartley
The daily prompt is asking – Share a photo of your pet and tell us one thing that makes them uniquely them.
Every pet I’ve ever had has been unique. Just like people they all differ. I’ve had the pleasure and pain of having many loving pets.
Where is my milk and what is for dinner? Photo by Mike Hartley
From the first one I had below that my dad brought home to us to the last one above, that I brought home to my daughter, they all have been special.
My first pet was special because it was the last gift from our dad. Photo by Mike Hartley
From almost having dog like behavior in a cat to a giant fur ball of a cat.
Are you ready for some Xmas? Photo by Mike Hartley
My first cat was a Manx. A big strong cat with no tail. She was the one who behaved like a dog. The neighbors had a German Shepard, and she was no fan of that dog at all. One day I saw him charge her and she leapt in the air landed on his back with claws out and this dog let out a howl of pain and ran for home. The dog always kept a distance after that. She would just sit in the front yard all proud and hiss at it if it started in her direction and it would turn tail and run.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Above is our granddog who we just lost last year. My son is still hurting from his first pet loss. It never gets any easier and my better half can’t take another loss, so we/she decided not to have anymore pets.
Don’t forget to wash up. Photo by Mike Hartley
Pets are a huge responsibility, and a lot of people don’t fully accept it. The one thing that made all my pets unique to me is the love they shared. If you get a pet, please take good care of it.
What’s something you used to worry about but don’t anymore? – Good question from the daily prompt.
It’s really a softball question for me. I used to worry about work. All kinds of worries. Of the thousands of decisions I made each day, were they right. I used to worry about traffic getting back and forth, being it was a long commute to a very busy city. I used to worry about my strained relationship with some higher ups. I used to worry about my co-workers doing things right. I used to worry about what time I’d be called again when I was off.
But not anymore. Work is no longer on the list of worries. And boy is that a huge weight off my back.
Retirement is great. I can swing with it? Photo by Mike Hartley
What are your top 10 travel destinations? – Asks the daily prompt.
I’m not one to think more than a trip or two in advance because we have never traveled much. So, I won’ fantasize much here beyond what we are going to do and a few we might like.
We hope to take a trip to Charleston South Carolina this year sometime. Maybe another trip or two to the beach. New York City is one we want to return and see more of.
My better half would like to get to Ireland. I would like to see Yosemite, Zion, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. Maybe San Francisco.
Today my top destination is some back roads in and around some of Howard County with the top down and music on.
I prefer train if it makes sense. Photo by Mike Hartley
What is your favorite quote? – Asks the daily prompt.
I have tons of favorite quotes. I acquire more each day it seems. And I know I’ve shared a few others in the past that are more prominently posted around my desk. Here are a few recent ones I’ve found.
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. – Pablo Picasso
Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears. – John Lennon
Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. – Thomas Merton
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. – Herman Cain
What’s a skill you consider basic, that most people don’t actually know how to do? – Interesting ask by the daily prompt.
Oh wow, that is one you have to ponder on for a few seconds.
The first that popped to mind is one of my passions. Driving a stick shift (manual gearbox) vehicle. Which led to another observation. People don’t know how to drive.
Okay enough car talk.
Being older I had to work through problems without the aid of the internet to help. So, I guess my first instinct is to try to find a solution to the problem instead of just giving up like a lot of people do now.
This credit card society has made cashiers poor with math apparently. Pay in cash and get ready to observe someone struggling to make the correct change owed to you.
How to get to the truth seems to be a skill that lots are lacking these days.
Apparently, the ability to not be without your smartphone is something so many are afflicted with.
I’m guessing most couldn’t fix a flat tire or change their oil and filter.
When to talk, and when to listen is becoming a lost art.
Again, having grown up without most of today’s technology, memorization was a very important skill. I bet most people couldn’t tell you the phone numbers of their most frequent contacts. We used to remember hundreds.
Manors and common courtesy seem to be going out of style also.
Do you think everything happens for a reason? – Now there is a question to ponder from the daily prompt.
I think some things are random and other happen for a reason. Most happen for a reason though. I guess that is my belief in science.
But science also teaches me we live on earth which random things happen like weather and earthquakes that are totally unpredictable despite huge advancements.
So, there is always going to be a bit of both from what I’ve experienced in life.
The daily writing prompt would like to know – What’s your home decoration style?
When we picked the home, we have been in now for over 4 decades we, decided on a rancher. On a lot with a big front yard and trees and woods in the lower back yard.
I’m not familiar with style names in home decoration. I don’t catch many if any of those shows on TV doing it. What I do know is my better half does have nice taste and style and has made the home a welcoming and comfortable space while looking very nice at the same time.
I’m more of the maintenance guy. I power wash, mow, fix, repair, move and hang things when needed.
The basement is another story. That is mostly my domain. A mixture of my art space, office, workroom and laundry and utility room. I’m randomly mounting dozens of 8x10s on the walls trying out different projects and themes which I take down and replace fairly often.
I do have one wall that I don’t change. A series of photos from Arlington Cemetery that I shot. With my dad’s flag in front of them. That will probably be there till I’m gone.
If I had to find a few words for the style I guess I’d use welcoming, comfortable and pleasing. Those are at least the expressions of those visiting.
The warm sun of morning. Looking our our back kitchen window. Photo by Mike Hartley
The daily prompt has a good question today. – What’s a song lyric that has stuck with you forever?
I guess the song from my youth that has stuck with me the most is from the band Lynyrd Skynyrd and the song Simple Man.
“Simple Man”
Mama told me when I was young “Come sit beside me, my only son And listen closely to what I say And if you do this it’ll help you some sunny day”
“Oh, take your time, don’t live too fast Troubles will come and they will pass You’ll find a woman and you’ll find love And don’t forget, son, there is someone up above”
“And be a simple kind of man Be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can”
“Forget your lust for the rich man’s gold All that you need is in your soul And you can do this, oh baby, if you try All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied”
“And be a simple kind of man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can”
Oh, yes, I will
“Boy, don’t you worry, you’ll find yourself Follow your heart and nothing else And you can do this, oh baby, if you try All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied”
“And be a simple kind of man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can?”
“Baby, be a simple, be a simple man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of simple man Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can?”
Even when they are ready to go back to the earth, they are beautiful. Photo by Mike Hartley
Another friggin book question again from the daily prompt. – If you could rewrite any book’s ending, which one would you choose?
So, if I could REWRITE today’s question it would be. – Do you think you could be nocturnal?
The reason I posed this question is because I have been nocturnal for a decade or two of my life, maybe more. It started with working night shifts. But it has extended beyond that to even my retirement days. There are nights I’m up most of the evening and early mornings.
Lots of them actually. I’ve never been a person who has slept normal hours anyway. When I was working, I slept maybe 4-5 hours a day. Once a week I didn’t sleep. That was my transition day where I woke early Sunday morning, spent the day with the family, went to work at 6pm and worked till 6am Monday morning. So I’d be up 24-27 hours straight flipping from the weekend where I was up during the day and then back to nights on the weekdays.
But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t awake during the days. Services you depend on aren’t open at nights so things like doctor’s appointments or shopping or much of anything had to be done during the day.
I was watching my grandson the other day, and he said he doesn’t like the dark because it’s scary. For me I see wonder. I’m very comfortable with darkness. I got used to dark at a young age working with photography. They didn’t call it a darkroom for nothing. That is where you handled film. In complete darkness. And making prints was done under this red light that only a touch from complete darkness.
The contrast of nights and days isn’t just light. There is a whole group of people who make your life possible by working nights. They take your trash away; deliver supplies to the vendors you use. They repair the streets and fix other infrastructure needs. Some show up when you have an emergency and the ambulance takes you to the hospital where people working overnight take care of you.
Security guards and police keep your business and some homes safe at night. Lots of people work overnight in warehouses shipping your products for delivery the next day.
All those upgrades to computer systems happen in the evenings. Planes still fly at night and have to take off and land. You need pilots and air traffic controllers. When something isn’t working in your hotel room you call the front desk and expect someone to be there no matter the hour.
When you go to the grocery store, who do you think restocks the shelves at night. Not a robot. If you go to Vegas, you might notice that noise from the casino doesn’t stop at night. It might even be the place in the world that stays up the latest.
There is a whole society of night shift people out there. You just don’t see us because we are out and about while you’re catching ZZZ’s. I read one stat that said 3.5% of the working people report for work between 6pm and midnight. And that sounds about the right percentage I was thinking about.
So, here’s a toast to my fellow nocturnal night owls. Without us, a lot of stuff doesn’t happen.
When your day ends, ours begins. Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s your biggest dream? – Asks the daily prompt.
Well, my biggest dream already came true. To have a healthy and happy family. That is such a concern when you’re holding your newborn in your arms for the first time. That panic that sets in because you know this isn’t a fair world and that it can be cruel to many.
And now I’m watching my children navigate the world with their children.
Personally, my biggest dream at this stage of life is to create images, words, drawings and paintings that I’m proud of and people enjoy. And to see some of those reactions.
Amateur photographer (me) photographing what appears to be professional photographer in green. I hope I don’t have to grow a gut to become a professional photographer. Photo by Mike Hartley
Ah yet another question from the daily prompt I’m not thrilled with. – If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be?
Okay I think the phrase goes – Ask a stupid question and get a stupid answer. I know this isn’t what they were thinking of when they said fictional character but it’s what popped into my head at the time.
So, I’ll go with the Road Runner. If you noticed in this cartoon the guy always has a smile on his face. He is smart and intuitive and lives life in the fast lane. He likes to shift gears and taunt his opponent and always comes out on top. We could talk speed and handling.
What is the best purchase you have ever made? – Feeling like I answered this daily prompt question before but I’m too lazy at 3am to go look if I have so here is a fresh attempt.
That’s an easy one. Any gift we get for the children or grandchildren that brings the best smile and excitement to their faces. Like the annual trip to the beach together. Sometimes our excitement is the best when we think we’ve found the perfect birthday or Christmas gifts.
High on the list of rest of the Best
Our Home.
The John Deere tractor I purchased in 1998 is still running and cutting today. Certainly, the best value. Well, it’s getting a deserved rest and some maintenance before it goes to my son. I just got a new one. I’ll let you know if that was just as good a buy as the previous one in about 20+ years. He might have to finish that review, if I’m cutting grass well into my 80s my wife is going to kill me.
A 1985 Honda Shadow 1100cc motorcycle. My first new bike. My first new vehicle ever. Everything before that was well used transportation. Man was ride that fun. I had to pause and remember twisting the throttle and hanging on for a minute there. Oh yeah. There is no replacement for displacement
This was almost #1 but the best purchases are never for yourself. At least that is what I’m learning over time.
My old therapist. Photo by Mike Hartley
The 2016 Mazda Miata has been the most fun I’ve ever had on 4 wheels. Runner up is my 1974 Camaro.
One of my biggest regrets in my photo history is I lost photos of this car after I modified it. Photo by Mike Hartley
The daily prompt asks – What’s the funniest misunderstanding you’ve ever been a part of?
The older I get the more misunderstandings happen mainly because of people’s hearing issues. Both my wife and my best friend have hearing loss, and this creates some regular miscommunication and some very funny times.
I don’t remember this phase in my early years but it’s one I use often now when I get an answer that is totally unrelated to the question or statement I made. And that is “What do you think I said”
Mine hearing is still pretty good but not perfect especially when people are talking to me from other rooms.
In order not to embarrass any family members or friends here I’ll use one blunder that I made recently. My family was over and they were in the living room. My son yelled out, dad, do you get dryness in your beard? I said yes but I thought he said do you get dryness in your ear. He goes what do you use and I said a wet Q-Tip.
Well, I hear silence and then this laughter from the other room breaks out and I asked what was going on and then he clarified the question.
Now ladies, no more wheelies on the boardwalk, do you understand me?
The daily prompt wants to know – What app eats up the most of your screen time – and do you even feel bad about it?
I guess I’m old school. I use the phone for phone calls and text. Those eat up most of my screen time. The news app is probably the most after that and no I don’t feel bad about it. My goal is to keep the time on that device to under an hour a day. And I stay pretty close to that.
It is my belief that those devices are not good for people in a lot of cases. Yes, they can be very helpful and there are wonderful apps that make life better for people, but most people go down the rabbit hole with those devices and rarely look up.
Look away from the phone and love your pet. Photo by Mike Hartley
The daily prompt is asking – What’s a movie or book that inspired you to travel?
To be honest I can’t think of a book or movie that inspired travel. Sometimes it’s people I know who have been excited about a trip that spurs interest. Occasionally things I see online or on TV trigger thoughts of travel.
Like the scenic railroad show recently showing travel by train through the states. Or some of the commercials for scenic river cruises. But no books or movies. Sorry
Thoughts of travel are interesting to me. Yes, I have desire to see other places. No, I don’t like to travel. I’m not big on flying but I’ll do it. Nothing has been as comfortable as home. Usually, I have to adjust my schedule because if I’m up and about at my normal times, I’m disturbing others.
I leave behind a lot of things I like to do regularly at home, like some of my hobbies and my car. Luckily, I can travel with cameras easily still. In a lot of ways, it’s quite disruptive to my normal routine. I guess I’m more of a creature of habit and knowns.
I like easy trips. Like our venture to New York City earlier this year. A 3-hour train ride, hotel within a short walk, direct to our destination and then sightseeing. We didn’t set timelines or a stuffed itinerary; we did as much as we could each day and enjoyed the hell out of it. Stayed for 3 nights and 4 days with great weather and that was perfect trip.
Picking the right season to go in also. For the first time in our history, we took a winter vacation to a warmer climate. We went to Lauderdale by the Sea in Florida for 4-5 days. Again, great weather and easy days and nights made for a great time. I remember what one of our Uber drivers said. “You picked the perfect time of year to be here. It’s horrible in summer and surrounding months.”
I love to drive but I’m not into driving in unfamiliar places and even though I’d dealt with city traffic and high-speed interstates and everything in between I had no desire to drive into NYC. Now I have thought about renting a car from Miami and driving down to the Keys. I hear that is a nice ride and scenic.
My better half would like to travel a bit more. My daughter and her take short trips together. We might do a larger and longer trip in the future but nothing major is planned now. We would still like to get to Charleston SC. And the trip to NYC showed us there is a lot more to see there so another venture will be planned.
Maybe when I do a little more traveling the bug will bite me and I’ll be off more often.
Which outdated technology do you miss the most, and why? – Another tech question. No problem.
I miss a lot of older technology.
A good turntable for albums seemed like part of enjoying the music. Taking care of the vinyl records. It was part of the listening experience.
I love digital photography now. But I do have warm feelings of darkrooms and chemicals.
I miss the video game Pong. It was the only technology of the day that worked back then.
8 track tapes. Keeping them moving at the right speed was an artform. Folded matchbooks and other small wedges to keep the tape in place. And later, pencils to go with cassette tapes that got unruly.
Black and white TVs with rabbit ears. Only 3 channels and no clicker to change channels. Didn’t cost a thing. No cable bill, no streaming bill, no internet bill.
Paper maps. Once you figured out the route you remembered it and committed it to permanent memory.
Speaking of memory, I used to like remembering the hundreds of phone numbers between my ears.
It’s not gone yet but future generations will never have the pleasure of driving a manual gearbox. I pity them. It’s one of the great joys of driving.
The daily prompt wants to know – What is the best excuse you have heard lately?
The one I gave my friend last night when I said my mouth hurts from the dentist appointment yesterday afternoon and I was staying home. It was honest and to the point.
On the other hand, I didn’t listen to the liar last night trying to find excuses on why he lost an election that he can’t admit he lost. A sorry excuse for a human being.
One of the better excuses I heard while managing people was a call that came in early one morning stating that he was going to be late. When I asked what time, he thought he could make it he said, “Well, I’m in jail and I have to see a judge so I’m not really sure.”
I’m trying to find an excuse not to cut the grass later today. The smoke from the wildfires in the air would be a good one. It’s going to feel like the upper 90s today would also qualify as a good excuse.
But when I think of excuses I think back to my very early days at work when managers were direct. So, when I gave an excuse for being late, he spoke and said, “excuses are like a**holes, everyone got one, and you just used yours, so don’t be late again.” And from then on, I’ve been early to work and rarely sick.
No thank you, I’m scared of heights. Photo by Mike Hartley
Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are? – now there is a good question from the daily prompt.
I think that our experiences really shape who we are from a very young age and throughout life. That’s my personal take on it. Events in my life shaped a lot of who I am. Values and respect were things my mom taught me early and I still carry with me today.
Early experiences in life almost cost me dearly. Not to be repeated and again make up how I proceed today. There were also painful experiences early on which changed me.
There are exceptions. There are certain points in life where something within us might rise and shine. There is an innate ability in us all to know right from wrong. Most of us have an innate sense of compassion.
Those things within us are drawn out or suppressed by our experiences and teachings I’m guessing. I don’t have degrees studying the human mind. Just going by what I’ve seen over the decades.
Experiences shaped my decision-making process. Becoming a father and grandfather changed my life and who I am.
I’m shaped by genetics. I am who I am by my experiences.
If you had to be an animal for a week, which one would you be and why? – I’ve really got to start coming up with some alternative questions I can use when I don’t like the daily prompt.
I think I’d like to be a Cheetah. I’d like to feel like being fast again. I used to be fairly quick in my younger days and to feel that speed again in my legs would be nice. Also, cats rest so easily and nicely, and I could use some good rest.
What’s a piece of technology you’re convinced will exist in 20 years? – Now there is an interesting question from the daily prompt.
Well, if I’m around, in 20 years, I hope to have my Miata still running. That means I might have one of the last manual transmission cars on the road.
Some say the pace of change with technology is going to dwarf any past periods. So, the next 20 years could bring about great change. But being old school, I’m going with an old school technology because I for one have no idea where this technological madness is taking us.
So, my answer is a Bicycle
I was going to say a hammer a chisel, because it’s always possible that we might just bomb each other back into the stone age.
Beach and Bikes go together. Photo by Mike Hartley
Are you a lifelong learner? – Asks the daily prompt.
You bet I’m a lifelong learner. For if you’re not, life can be very difficult and short.
Learning is a lot more than books and school knowledge. Even though those are good foundations. Learning about people and your environment is important also.
Learning is fun whatever way you do it. It makes life easier and helps you understand why some things are the way they are. And discover new ways and techniques to live and get by.
I’ve slowed down a bit in my learning in ways. Being retired I no longer keep up with technology like I used to but I’m using that space with my arts and learning there.
Learning by doing is what works best for me in a lot of cases.
I’ve made mistakes thinking I know everything at points in my life. Thankfully those times are long behind me in most cases. But as I get older, I feel I fall back into that trap sometimes, either out of laziness or overconfidence.
A recent example is the new tractor I just got. I’ve been driving them for decades. Doing maintenance on them and usually making them last. Already did my first cut without the manual being opened. Just a review of controls when it was delivered. I could easily be over-confident but I’m going to RTFM as I used to extort to my co-workers when I was helping them first and then directing them to the information.
Learning opportunities are all around us each day. Take advantage of them and hit a new level.
The daily prompt wants to know – What’s one habit that has improved your life the most?
Getting an early start to the day. That has served me well as I feel I get an advantage by getting a jump on the day. Most days I’m up before sunrise.
I was going to say the number of hours I’m able to stay awake. But I believe that might have had some long-term effects on my health in a negative way, so I won’t toute that as a positive habit.
Are you ready to take advantage of another great day? Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s a chapter of your life you’d title “The Hard Years”— and what got you through it? – Asks the daily writing prompt.
I’ve had a lot of challenges throughout my life. Physical, mental, professional and personal. So, it’s hard to pick a set of years. But I’ll qualify that by saying that I’m thankful for every one of those years. You learn a lot about yourself and others during hard times.
Also, I’d like to say my hard times don’t hold up to people who really experience real hard times. I’ve been hungry but never starving for one example.
I’ve had cancer a few times. After a couple of different surgeries, I needed radiation for a few months after the last one. I would sit across from this little girl in the waiting room who had a tree full of bags of meds on wheels she would take with her as she went into her room for treatment. She had no hair and looked thin. But she sat up straight, had the most beautiful smile and spirit with her mother by her side. I’m thankful for her reminder that I wasn’t having a hard time.
There were times when jobs overwhelmed me. In the sheer number of hours and mental/physical effort over long stretches of years. I think my refusal to fail got me through those times.
If you’re married or in a long-term relationship there are hard times, but you shouldn’t have hard years.
Raising children can certainly be a challenge and a very hard one for many years but it’s the most rewarding thing you can do.
I’ve experienced painful losses in our family early on at times. Those were very difficult years but there was hope, to get us through.
I’m a senior now and I feel the hard years are ahead of me. The time that you start losing those lifelong friends and family members. People that are important to you, loved and have a lot of shared history. The ones that will leave holes in you. Those thoughts scare me the most. And I don’t know how I will get through those most difficult times.
Maybe I’ll remember the phrase a US Marine I worked with would say. “Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.”
The daily prompt wants to know – What’s a book you think deserves a sequel?
I don’t know about a book that needs a sequel, but I do know a life that needs one. My dad passed 60 years ago today. That means we had a very short time together. I need a sequel to learn more about him. To know him. To love him again.
You don’t have many chances at life. Some very few. Don’t waste them.
Dad showing me the proper grip on a football a month before he died. Photo by Shirley Hartley
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? – I bet a lot of people like this question from the daily prompt. I wonder what percentage of people live right now, where they want to live, if they had this choice.
I live right where I want to be at this moment in my life. To live further away from my children and grandchildren would be unacceptable for us.
I’ve always thought about living at the beach. Maybe Bethany Beach Delaware or Fenwick Island. Even though that desire is strong it’s not going to happen because I’m loving watching my grandchildren grow and being here if my children need help. Now once they are grown, and if I’m blessed with a long life, I might think strongly about that move but at that age it would probably be too disruptive.
So, like the couple below we will visit the beach often as possible and dream about a home there. But also smile on the way home because we get to hold and play with those little bundles of joy.
Is a little chaos actually good for us? – A rather vague question from the daily prompt.
When I first read the question, my initial answer was yes. If life is predictable, then it can get a little boring. But I do like order and structure in my life. At the same time, I loved to shake things up occasionally both in my professional and personal life.
If you look at the definition of chaos it says – complete disorder and confusion.
When I think about a visual of chaos, I see a huge crowd of people and a loud bang happens sounding like a gunshot and chaos ensues. People running in all directions because nobody knows if it was a shot or where it came from so it’s just pure panic.
Now when I think of a little chaos I think of someone proposing a new process that changes the entire production process that when implemented blows up. But in that chaos new lessons are learned and sometimes that chaos brings progress and new and better ways of doing things.
The danger with a little chaos is that it can get out of hand quickly. Take for example the coming election. The little chaos that comes with people arguing different points and solutions. But if people feel that elections are stolen, then that is a whole new game.
I’m suspecting this is going to be a trigger point for this country. I like listening to smart people. And when a smart person was asked the following, I agree with his response.
“Do you agree that we are covering in real-time an assault on our elections, the upcoming ones?”
“I’m very concerned of what’s going to happen in the next election, absolutely,”
Which Direction to choose today. Chaos or consistency. Photo by Mike Hartley
The daily prompt wants to know – What’s a lesson you’ve learned recently that shifted your perspective?
I learned that the better listening skills I use, the more I know about people. That and some well-placed questions can really open your eyes.
I learned the better research and investigation I do the better decisions I make. I’ve gotten a little lazy in retirement when a simple task of replacing my tractor taught me that incorporating some of the skills I used long ago when working still comes in handy.
I learned I can’t handle the heat like I used to so my perspective on the part of the day I want to be up for and outside has shifted.
I learned compartmentalizing things is a good survival skill.
What do you do to improve your sleep? – Now that is a timely question today.
I laughed at this question for a while because just before this and old friend and I were trading emails about lack of sleep in our lives.
And for example, we have tonight. I fell asleep at 8pm last night and woke before midnight. I’ll probably be up the rest of the night/morning now. Even though I’ve been retired for 2 and half years, that last decade of working the overnight shift screwed up my clock badly. My body is more comfortable now, being up late at night.
I sleep in little shifts. And I do get more than I used to when I was working. Taking advice from me might be suspect but I’ll offer some anyway.
I suggest a hammock, great for sleeping.
Can you swing it? Photo by Mike Hartley
The most important factor in my sleep is my mood. If I’m satisfied with the day and my life, I can rest easily. If I’m troubled, it’s a crap shoot. Sometimes listening to a little music or watching a little comedy will put me in the right spirits and make going to bed easier.
Finding a way to wind down and relax is big for me. I can be physically exhausted from watching grandkids and not sleep well. It’s more mental for me. Letting my mind slow down and downshift a few times enough to have some good thoughts and fall asleep.
Quiet is also essential. Remarkably my hearing is still in good shape, and I’m woken easily by sounds. I rarely sleep in a storm. Sometimes the basement has helped in that regard.
If I’m sleeping well, I go with it and sometimes get 7-9 hours. It’s not often, but here and there. But if it’s not working, I don’t lay there endlessly looking at a seam in the wall that could use some touch up. I get up and get to work and hopefully take a nap later.
Naps are cool. I took them long before I retired. Being I wasn’t getting a lot of sleep some days, I would catch sleep as I could. When you’re trying to sleep during the day it’s not like the rest of the world stops and says, “hey we got to let these night shift workers get some sleep, can you keep it down.” Quite the contrary in fact.
So, I learned dark out curtains are important. Silencing phones and shutting the door to my room. This is where I will also acknowledge that the effort of my better half to work in silence while I slept for a few hours was remarkable. Living on opposite schedules 4 days a week is difficult on both parties.
Then I flipped back to a day schedule to participate in family and other normal activities that day dwellers did. An interesting life, I don’t recommend it with one exception. In my younger days when we started a family, I worked nights and my better half days and we shared watching the kids so one of us was available for them and saved having daycare costs.
As I thought about how to wrap this up. I thought about the weirdest place I’ve slept in. I once slept on the 18th green (no I wasn’t a member). I’ve slept in and on my car. I’ve slept on my desk and under it at work. I’ve slept on a roll of newsprint (those are big). I’ve slept on a beach and in a boat. Under the stars in a sleeping bag. I’ve slept on a roof and on a pool float. I even fell asleep once on my motorcycle once.
Sleep On a Beach – great for sleeping with the sounds of the waves. Get a dark pair of shades and umbrella.
Always something flying at the beach. Photo by Mike Hartley
Whatever you do, get your sleep on, because it’s important.
The daily prompt says – Hit 5,000 steps today and drop your achievement here – we’re cheering you on!
If the daily prompt is going to give me an exercise mission it had better do it the day before because I don’t respond well to marching orders first thing in the morning.
Yes, if I were at the beach I’d be out walking about now but I’m not at the beach and I haven’t had my morning Coke yet. I’ll get my 5,000 steps in today, and probably more if I cut the backyard with the push mower.
Now 10,000 steps in a day is a nice goal. I’ll report tomorrow if I hit that.
Take a walk on the wild side. Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s the best way to deal with negative thoughts? – Asks the daily prompt.
This is something I have experience with. And while experience is a good teacher, I’m no expert here. Good old negative thoughts are unavoidable so dealing with them is key to survival. This is a subject that probably keeps shrinks in business. The amount of material written on this topic is immense.
My mom said something very important at a young age when I struggled. She said, “there is always someone that is in a worse position in life or health than me.” So, she taught me to be appreciative of each and every day and things in your life.
So why do we struggle throughout our entire lives with this? In some way it might be a survival instinct. You know the old hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
I’ve learned to use negative thoughts to inspire me to action. As example I got disgusted with myself for being overweight a while back and use that as daily motivation to keep it in control and be at or very close to a very healthy weight.
The political situation has spurred lots of negative thoughts. A situation largely out of our control. But I vote every chance I get. I’ve started to get involved in rallies. I’m making my voice heard. Still, anytime I turn on the news I’m disgusted, depressed, angry and the negativity comes creeping in. Sometimes I have to stop listening as much. Not disconnecting or giving up, just catching a breath to reengage.
You can share your negative thoughts but be careful not to make life about that. Or even the whole conversation. Negativity is not an attractive trait.
Lots of times I’ll try to find humor in negative situations. It does several things. Sometimes it helps put things in perspective. Sometimes just to lighten the mood.
Just moving on from negative situations or people is a positive step and a needed one sometimes.
Sometimes you endure and outlast a negative situation. I’ve done that on the job several times because I’ve liked the people I worked with and the place I worked, and I wasn’t going to let some glorified in his own mind prick going to ruin it for me, so the battle was on.
When I read this prompt today the first thought that came to mind was the movie Kelly’s Heroes. An old WWII classic with many stars. Donald Southerland plays a tank commander called Oddball. He’s speaking to his mechanic, and they are arguing about the tank being broke in the middle of a war. And the following was uttered.
Oddball: Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
The daily prompt asks – What do you love now that you hated when you were younger?
I hated working in the yard and gardens when I was younger. Especially mowing because I had bad allergies when I was young. I outgrew them thankfully and enjoy cutting the yard now. My better half is the gardener, but I pull a ton of weeds throughout the year and kill many others.
I take pride in my yard looking good. It’s far from perfect but it’s well kept.
Yeah, I thought that was a strange one also. But it’s the first thing that came to mind.
I don’t mind being alone now. When I was younger, I was always with people.
Alone with nature is nice now. Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s a time you followed your gut, and it turned out to be exactly right? – An interesting ask from the daily prompt.
Wow, nothing jumped immediately to mind on this question. Then again, the 5am hour is a bit early to be contemplating life’s choice. I’m not sure I’ve gotten something, exactly right ever. My gut has made a lot of good decisions, but each new path lays more choices and tests.
I’ve gone with my gut a lot of times. It served me well professionally and even when it didn’t go exactly right, I was glad I stuck with the path I chose.
Several friends throughout my career have told me that I could earn more elsewhere. And I’m sure they were right. My gut said are you happy with what you do and who you do it for and I said yes so I stayed at a few jobs for decades. That was the right choice for me and being retired I think it was right for me and I’m happy with it.
Okay, here is a simple one that came to mind. 10 years ago, it was time for a new vehicle. Instead of going with the muscle car, which was my first thought and choice, I test drove a Miata and bought one that day. I love to drive and that thing is the most fun I’ve had in any car I’ve driven. As the phrase goes “Miata is always the answer.”
A legal go-cart for the road. One unique thing I’ve found is that its interest and appeal span all generations. At our club meetings we have youngsters, teens and early twenties to us old fossils in the 60s and 70s. All with that common love of the feel of driving that car.
Yes, it’s 10 years old and the top doesn’t go down as easily as it once did. There are a few paint chips in the front. But otherwise, she is clean and running well so I hope to get another decade out of her.
Emperor Palpatine has announced open elections for new Emperor – and he’s nominated Darth Vader. You get to nominate one challenger.
And I used to say there were no dumb questions.
Okay, I’ll nominate Jake and Elwood Blues. Black suits vs black robe. Hat’s vs Helmet. 1974 Dodge Monico former police car vs the Death Star. Stormtrooper’s vs the badest Blues Band in the world.
“It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses. Hit it.”
And when I have James Brown on my side from the Triple Rock church shining the light on us, I think we’re a shoe in.
Being the old Blues Mobile was destroyed I found them a new one to do battle with the Death Star.
What’s something you used to believe as a kid that seems ridiculous now? – An interesting ask from the daily writing prompt.
At a very young age I used to believe that everything was going to be okay. At a very young age I found out that everything wasn’t going to be okay.
I grew up in an era where most of the major league sports players usually played their careers with the same team. I don’t know how kids now get attached to their local team when the pieces change so much each year.
I used to think that leaders and sports stars were somehow all people with great character. There all just as flawed as the rest of us.
I believed I could become an artist someday. It does seem ridiculous today because I gave up on it for so many decades. But maybe, just maybe if I’m given some more time here, I might make that belief as a kid come around.
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Photo by Mike Hartley
