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.”
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.
Any weekend with some time to spend with family and friends and not feeling rushed is a real treat.
I hope your weekend was a good one and full of great times.
What’s the best and worst airport you’ve been to? – Asks the daily prompt.
The best airport experience is thankfully my local airport BWI (Baltimore Washington International Airport).
I don’t know if I’d call the next one the worst, but I wasn’t thrilled with the hikes I’ve had to take for connecting flights in Atlanta.
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
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.
A year that fun returned.
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.
WWII vets are known as the Greatest Generation. My parent’s generation.
I don’t think we learned enough important lessons from them, or we wouldn’t be in the position we are in today.
Bravery is very difficult to remember for some.
Bravery can come in small packages.
What’s something you do completely differently from how you were raised? – Asks the daily prompt.
I didn’t let my children drive before being of legal age. I didn’t let my children ride in the back window of the car or without seatbelts.
I didn’t follow my father into a career in the military.
As a child I spent a lot of time on two wheels. When I got older, I added a motor to them.
I treated my kids to TV sometimes during dinner. But only when their mom was at work. The tv was never on during meals when I was young.
My belief or faith is different than how I was raised as a catholic child.
I dress far more casually than when I was raised. Also had long hair for a long-time vs that buzz cut I had in my youth that my parents liked.
I curse more than I should.
I don’t think my parents knew how to relax, even in their senior years. I think I got that down now in retirement.
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.
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.
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.
One of his many fashion statements.
I didn’t realize I was taking so many street shots over the years. But it’s a great place for catching great moments.
Have a good day.
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.
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 could go back and witness any historical event, which one would you pick?
I would like to have been at Woodstock. I loved concerts in my early days, but Woodstock was a year or two before I started to attend shows.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Lots of their songs spoke to me.
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.
If your future self could send you one sentence, what do you hope it would say? – A deep ask by the daily prompt.
Okay future self, think carefully.
You might be young in spirit, but your body is old in years so get your ass in gear and get out and have some fun while it’s still working.
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.
What’s a thing you wish schools actually taught? – Asks the daily writing prompt.
That’s an interesting one. I haven’t been to school in a long time.
I wish they made learning a foreign language a mandatory thing. It was optional back when I was in school and I regret not learning another language.
I wish school taught me to think more, instead of memorizing the crap. The best classes are when teachers didn’t spend all their time in the book. I got more out of few conversations with teachers about life than I did in most of school.
Not that knowledge isn’t important to have and lots of that is in the book and assignments but life lessons and finding what students are interested in and helping them pursue that is a gift.
Remember athletes, keep up with the academics. Life is hard without them.
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.
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.
From almost having dog like behavior in a cat to a giant fur ball of a cat.
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.
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.
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.
The daily prompt wants to know – What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Someone once said something like this to me – Instead of measuring yourself against others, why not measure yourself against what you want to be.
Or the sticker a friend gave me that is on my office door. Work like a captain. Play like a pirate.
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.
What’s a quote that perfectly describes your outlook on life? – More questions on quotes from the daily prompt.
I went through some of my saved quotes, and I think these apply the best to me.
“Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.”- Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
“Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.”-Frank Tyger
“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.”-Greg Anderson
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.
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.
If you had to give one life-changing tip, what would it be? – Asks the daily prompt.
Find someone to love deeply and work that you have passion for.
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.
The daily writing prompt is asking – Who is the fictional character you relate to the most?
I’d like to think I’m a bit of Bugs Bunny. Wise, easy going, loving life. But I’ve been feeling a lot like Charlie Brown lately.
Such is life, full of ups and downs. I hope the wind is blowing in the right direction for you today. Have a good day all.
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 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?”
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.
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.
What’s a promise you made to yourself that you’ve actually kept? – Not a bad question from the daily prompt.
Well, let’s go back into history and see what we can dig up.
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.
The 2016 Mazda Miata has been the most fun I’ve ever had on 4 wheels. Runner up is my 1974 Camaro.
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.
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.
If you could erase one trend from history, what would it be? – The daily prompt limiting me to one where there are many that could use erasing.
I’d like to get rid of our capacity to destroy each other. I don’t know why we place such little value in human life.
We also seem to be in a rush to destroy our home (earth). Maybe we can start to turn that around.
Maybe people erase thinking their religion is above others. Or those who don’t believe are doomed and evil.
Greed seems to be a nasty historical trend that I could do without.
I guess if I had to pick one it would be that we should stop thinking that were above one another for whatever reason.
Which outdated technology do you miss the most, and why? – Another tech question. No problem.
I miss a lot of older technology.
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.
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.
The daily prompt wants to know – Which book have you read more than any other?
Unfortunately, technical manuals. And what is this fixation on books the daily prompt has.
So how about a few other “which questions” I can come up with.
Which highway have I traveled the most on? – Route 29. I’ve been going up and down that road for 55 years now.
Which candy have you eaten the most? Smarties – unfortunately it hasn’t helped.
Which room in the house is my favorite? – My basement office.
Which beverage do I drink the most? – Cokes.
Which day of the week is your favorite? – Each one I wake.
Which season is my favorite? – sum sum sum Summertime.
Which is my favorite body of water? – The Chesapeake Bay.
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.
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.
The daily prompt with a difficult question – What villain actually had a good point?
So being I’m not a superhero movie type I went looking for some quotes of villains.
When we allow ourselves to be consumed by anger, the only victim is ourselves. Gellert Grindelwald, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
If you don’t protect what belongs to you, then sooner or later, it belongs to someone else.Negan, The Walking Dead, S10.Ep3: Ghosts
Choice is an illusion created between those with power and those without. The Merovingian, The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
It’s just sad, how a little bit of knowledge can become so powerful when surrounded by ignorance. Lincoln Potter, Mayans M.C., S1.Ep8: Rata/Ch’o
It’s easy to fool people when they’re already fooling themselves. Quentin Beck, Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)
“Madness is like gravity. All it takes is a little push.” – The Joker
Here are some words from a wise man who is no villain.
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,”
The daily prompt wants to know – Who is your favorite blogger to follow?
I don’t like questions like this because I’m always going to leave someone out that I will regret after I post this. I also don’t like this question because I’ve been slack in following and interacting with some of my favorites the last few months. And that makes me disappointed in myself.
I like the blogging community that I’ve experienced, and I hope to continue to expand this group that I follow.
I’ve enjoyed reading Not all who wander are lost. And of course, the images of Leanne Cole inspire me and leave me in awe.
The pictures and words from their travels and recipes from Sheree at View from the Back always make me smile. I enjoy Dan’s work at No Facilities and appreciate the efforts he puts into his work and challenges, plus his insights.
The nature photography by Catherine of Leaf and Twig.
I’m going down the blogging hole.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The daily prompt wants to know – What’s a piece of media (book, movie, song) that changed how you see the world?
When I was young there was a lot of music talking about the chaos in the country. CSNY (Crosby Stills Nash and Young) was one of them that reached me. I was maybe 12 when I started listening to what was classified as counterculture music. The kind your parents came in and said what the hell is that.
Many songs from the late 60s and early 70s were ones that inspired emotions, gave messages that made you think, challenged norms. I know I felt changed by much of it. Like the song title from the group Ten Years After “I’d Love To Change The World”
Comment – This is a very important question moving forward. Media can influence how we see the world. And that has never been more obvious than the current times.
I’m not encouraging you to dump getting information because you fear it’s all tainted. It’s always had a slant one way or another depending on your views. BUT in all that information is the truth. You have to dig, you have to question, you have to read and investigate. You have to find trusted sources but also check them from time to time.
And then Teach Your Children as CSNY said. Teach them to love and look for truth.
The daily prompt with a question I’m totally disinterested in. – If you could change the ending of any book, which one would it be.
I don’t have an answer to this question. But I am interested in writing a book. I’ve started a few and haven’t made a ton of progress but each day I’m plugging away. I have trouble imagining the ending right now. As time changes and life change the ending my change.
Because those are the things that I’m writing about. Life, time and what we do with it. Writing is easy. Editing is another thing. I’m learning I just need to write first and edit later. I get caught up in mixing the two together too often.
I don’t even want to think about an ending now because the journey is still going on and that is the enjoyable part of the process. The end/finish line is the sense of accomplishment. But the writing up to that ending is what makes that special.
The daily prompt wants to know – Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life?
In linguistic terms I only speak one language. English and some might say not to well.
I used to speak fluent technical talk before I retired.
I can also do sports, photography and automotive speak.
My better half occasionally accuses me of speaking in different languages.
When some idiot drivers cross my path, my language gets quite colorful.
When we are on a boy’s weekend and some liquid refreshments become involved, languages of all tongues are made up and mostly laughed hysterically at.
I’ve been told to speak to the hand.
I think only speaking English has been a detriment in my life. I think I’d be much more enlightened with the ability to speak other languages.
What’s the best advice you’d give someone younger than you? – A dangerous question from the daily prompt.
Advice can be dangerous. Good advice is priceless. I’ve given a bit of advice to young people over time. I’ve worked with a lot of young people and I’ve enjoyed it. Yes, I was frustrated at times but the energy and new looks they can bring inspired me during my career.
Given the fact that most people are younger than me this is what I do most days. You’d think I’d be an expert by now. But I’m not.
So, I’ll keep it simple young people –
Never give up hope, believe in yourself, find a passion, work hard at it and love a lot.
Now here is some advice, on advice.
The daily prompt asks – Who are you most inspired by?
That is a hard question to answer because there have been different people at different times in my life. My mom inspired me early on. Various co-workers and managers have inspired me over the professional years. My children always inspire me to be a great father.
My better half inspires me. But I think most of my inspiration comes from within.
Upon further reflection, I think my grandchildren inspire me the most right now.
What’s your top tip to be successful in life? – That’s a tough one because there are so many ways people define success.
Find people you love, be with them and work hard at a passion you have.
What’s a book, movie, or TV show that you wish you could experience again for the first time? – Interesting ask by the daily prompt.
Let’s see, I plan on spending some time at the beach, so I don’t need to see Jaws again for the first time. And the more I think about this question it’s almost impossible to answer. I think back to books, tv shows, and movies and most of my favorites are linked to that point of time in my life a good while back, so seeing again for the first time now wouldn’t be the same at all.
So instead of those choices I’m going to pick music and a concert because music is timeless and hearing The Who or Led Zeppelin again for the first time live would be wild. Of course we would have to reincarnate a few of the musicians.
What’s a common misconception people have about happiness? – An interesting ask from the daily prompt.
Wow, when I read this question my first thought went to Robin Williams. Someone who seemed so happy and spread so much of it in his lifetime was dealing with such internal pain. Behind a lot of smiles, there can be a lot of pain.
I read a simple term a long time ago. It said, “Happiness is a Choice.” I took that to heart more and the opportunity to use it has been great, but it isn’t always true. Life will throw things at you that take happiness away. Sometimes for short periods, sometimes for longer ones.
I don’t know if you can be truly happy if never experience the other side of the coin.
Happiness most of the time just doesn’t appear. Usually, it’s something you do
There is another phrase that goes, “Happiness is fleeting.” I used to think that when I was younger but now, I’m stringing longer periods together.
And you don’t have to be happy all the time. Contentment, satisfaction, listening, observing, rest and relaxation are cool.
Some people are happy just being unhappy. Puzzles the hell out of me but to each their own.
Money and prestige don’t always equal happiness. I’ve had some of the best times in smaller minor league baseball parks than the major league ones.
The daily prompt asks – If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?
I’ve always wanted to know either how to play drums or piano. I just have an interest in those instruments. And to have mastered that and be able to create music all day would be wonderful.
What is one way you have grown this year? – Another good self-evaluation question from the daily prompt.
My beard is longer. Just kidding even though it is a bit longer.
These questions are good for me because sometimes I get too busy making the right and wrong decisions and moving on at times.
I’d say I’ve grown better knowing what I want and using time better and on the right things. Both with people and activities. I didn’t get off to the best start in this area but I’m hauling now.
And speaking of time I haven’t been in the seat of my Miata in a few days and I’m about to put my shoes on and go warm that up, put the top down and show my support for The Manual Gearbox Preservation Society.
What is something you wish you could tell your 20-year-old self? A good question from the daily prompt.
Wow that is a long list of things to tell myself now that I have almost 50 years of experience beyond that age.
First, even though I was serious about my work I was busy raising so much hell I probably wouldn’t have listened to much advice. You think you know a lot by the time you’re 20.
I’m going to give two quick answers even though the list I have running through my head now is a long one.
You only have one body. Take care of it and don’t abuse it.
Your mind is your strongest asset. Have confidence in yourself. Make good decisions. Choose friends wisely. Be inspired. You’re capable of much more than you think you are currently, so go for it.
Write your guide to setting healthy boundaries in relationships. – Not such a simple ask from the daily writing prompt.
Wow, just thinking about this is complex because boundaries are different in different relationships. It’s also something that I don’t think about much. I guess I’ve set boundaries over time that people who know me know what they are.
I think one boundary that a lot of my friends and I have come to in our senior years is that we don’t want a lot of negativities around. Life is too short to negative. Not that we don’t get there now and then on a point, but we don’t stay there and stay on topics we enjoy more now.
Okay, I admit I’m a little soft on my knowledge on the topic even though I feel like I’ve been good at communicating with people on this topic on what mine are. So, I found a chart to help me.
Physical – I’m a physical person. I shake hands with people, I hug people, I kiss those close to me. I respect others physical boundaries and don’t expect them to be the same as mine.
Emotional – I respect other feelings, as long as they respect mine.
Intellectual – The thoughts, beliefs and ideas of others are theirs. And they can have them because it’s a free country. That doesn’t mean I have to accept or agree with them.
Time – this is a tough one for most people. Who do you spend your time with and how much. People have expectations of time, and this is often the cause of tension in relationships. It’s not just showing up on time. It’s the quality of time you give people and would like from them.
Material – property, giving and lending. Be very clear in these areas. As with all boundaries, communication is key.
Spiritual – Wow this is a touchy one. I once had a close friend of many years who became very involved in faith to deal with another issue. He said to me that I’m going to hell because I didn’t believe exactly like he did. Our relationship was changed for the worse when that transpired.
Sexual – Having been married many decades you would think we got this one down. But as we age, that also changes, so you need to adapt and talk.
I always have my eye open for colorful shots. I’m not sure how to describe this one. But it’s one I’m leading with tonight because like those shirts I feel bright and happy.
And there is good reason for this. My one-year-old granddaughter said Papa Papa today. And I got to play with my grandson most of the afternoon.
I didn’t get out to shoot because before the children came, I was mowing grass. And that’s not a short task. The sun was bright today and hot. Not as bad as yesterday but still a warm one.
In keeping with the goal though I will find something to shoot before the day is over. I did get some photos uploaded to my Zenfolio space. That is going to be a big effort this summer. Getting images into that system every day.
The daily prompt with an out of this world questions this morning. – Do you think humans will ever colonize Mars? What would life there actually look like?
The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is, I don’t care. I like life here on earth and if we start taking care of ourselves and this planet it could be a beautiful place.
So, what to pontificate on this Sunday morning.
I think a day trip is in order this week. And I’ll get the firepit roaring in the evenings again, being it’s going to cool off a bit this week.
How to make the best use of today? Stay busy. Take a ride with the top down. Love and play with my grandchildren. Eat smart.
There was a deer with her newborn fawn in my backyard this morning.
The Knicks won the NBA championship. Proving it’s still a TEAM game. No superstar, just a bunch of guys playing together.
Well, it looks like the timing for that bad weather and the UFC fight on the White House lawn are set to kick off around the same time. Thank you, Karma. The place looks like hell. Half the house torn down, cock fighting in the front yard. I’m sure they’re bringing some outhouses in for all those people. All we need is a few cars up in cinder blocks and a few more trailers and were there.
What is your favorite meme? – Asks the daily prompt.
I love comedy and memes are funny, but I don’t spend a lot of time with them. I pass a few on FB but that is about it.
This is one of my favorite old ones.
The daily prompt asks – What’s a cultural tradition from another country that you wish existed in yours?
I was aware of a few traditions from other countries, but when I looked at some of the others, I was enlightened and somewhat surprised.
One stood out to me that I wasn’t aware of. In Finland, it has been traditional since the 19th century to participate in eukonkanto – the sport of wife-carrying. There’s even a Wife Carrying World Championship.
So, if the World Cup isn’t your thing or coming to the USA isn’t desirable now (I understand and apologize) you can get to Finland for the 2026 championship in July.
What are the biggest mistakes people make when visiting your country? – Tough question from the daily prompt. Hope I don’t misinterpret it.
I would guess people think there is a lot more crime and violence here than there actually is. Another thing I might think people visiting would make is with food. Portion sizes here are large compared to other parts of the world I believe.
I’m thinking America has a reputation of being a rather rude or in your face country. I’d say a small percentage of us behave like assholes. Most of us are very friendly.
When you’re traveling state to state pretend you just entered a different country.
Don’t assume we have competent leadership here.
This is a tip and tax country.
I guess most countries have some form of racing. And some of you might have seen racing in the USA also. Maybe the Indy 500 or Daytona 500. Well, we don’t really separate that from our highways here so if you’re renting a car, get ready to compete.
There is a lot of Natural and Man-Made beauty in this country. It’s also a very BIG country and if you are out wandering be careful and know the environment/weather before venturing out. Speaking of weather, don’t underestimate it. We have it all, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods, blizzards, ice storms.
There are a lot of chains here in the USA. But just like your home country some of the best places are local independently owned restaurants. Locals will gladly share the best spots.
Have a great visit please. Despite our incompetent leader and his circus clowns we love other nationalities and ethnicities. Those who hate are too stupid to realize they built a lot of this country.
What’s a song that always puts you in a good mood? – Now there is a good question from the daily prompt.
I’ve been listening to music this morning as I’ve been working on several things. And I’m in a good mood so the group that has put a pep in my step this morning has been The Doobie Brothers. Here are some songs from them that have been filling my headphones.
I’ve written before on some fears I’ve overcome, and how I did it. – But the daily prompt insists on asking it again.
For a while after retirement, I thought the number of fears I had were increasing. Now a couple of years into it, I feel less fear than I did before.
Some have changed. I used to drive back and forth to Washington DC and some of the busiest surrounding areas. So, driving in some of the most congested and dangerous areas was nothing. Now the beltways and interstates aren’t that comfortable anymore now that I’m not competing in the daily death race back and forth to work.
As I was getting into my 50s, I used to fear getting older and sick again. That fear is faded because I guess we all eventually accept the inevitable. I just make the best of each day now.
I never feared speed before. I don’t think I fear it now; I just don’t have that desire anymore. I don’t think it’s out of fear, but I guess anything is possible.
You ever stop fearing for your children or grandchildren. I just spend as much time loving them and with them and that helps.
I used to fear people who I thought were super intelligent. Then I realized that most of them have big deficiencies in other areas.
The thing that scares me the most now are those ads for these meds with all the nasty side effects like death and things like that yet living. I hope I never have a need for them.
My main fear now is the messed-up world we are leaving our children with. I’m going to try to overcome that fear by working on changing it for the better.
What’s the best way to build self-confidence? – Asks the daily prompt.
This might not be the best advice. I’ve always had issues with self-confidence and still do. Just doing this blog each day is a bit scary to me.
But through the help of others and the assistance of age I’ve learned a few tricks.
Take hold of the wheel and go.
The daily prompt asks a good question today – How do you build loyal subscribers?
We used to have a saying in the newspaper business that “Content is King” meaning if you have good and interesting content, well displayed organized and illustrated, they will come and stay.
I hope something I present here connects with people maybe an image makes them smile or laugh. And I thank you for subscribing if you choose to.
It’s not that I don’t care about people looking at this. I’ve met some very nice and supportive people here and I love this environment more than other social media platforms. Not that I utilize others much. A little Facebook that I’d like to ditch because of ownership, but life is short and I’d still like to keep a few long-distance relationships I have going through that platform.
I’m puzzled by some of my subscribers, some are just doing it to get their site attention and they are selling something. Others in faraway places in the world puzzle me also.
I’m guessing a few may subscribe for nefarious reasons.
But back to the question, (my mind wanders often). Obviously the first change I’d make is to make navigating my blog easier. I’d switch off this out and no longer supported theme. I’d have sections for the work I’m presenting. I’d build more things to promote interaction. I’d build value into the site by providing expertise, experience, information, and views that are important to a target audience.
You find out what your subscribers want and provide that information to them. You can entertain them, maybe it’s finding other like-minded people to that bond to build something bigger and better. Like the challenges that people run.
I do this for fun. I do this to improve my skills. I do this to grow mentally and challenge myself. I do it in bits and pieces between a very busy life. None of this probably builds loyal subscribers. I do this because of my daily publishing background has somehow ingrained in me to publish daily on my own.
One day I’ll get my act together and make this something that will have some significant subscribers because I hope to have much better content. And Content is King.
But it won’t matter a bit to me if that doesn’t happen either as long as keep having fun at it. Thankfully subscribers aren’t what drives this effort. Not that I don’t appreciate them, the comments and likes makes me think someone enjoyed my somersaults.
The daily prompt asks – Share a proverb you think is completely wrong and make your case.
Blood is thicker than water. – That can be true with some family members but maybe not all. I’ve seen and been part of fractured families. I’ve had friends closer to me than family.
Don’t cross that bridge till you come to it. – Wrong, planning is important. If you don’t think ahead, you might not consider the options you have when you get to that bridge.
Every cloud has a silver lining – While a lot of them might, not everyone does. Just like storms, some roll in right behind one another with bad news.
Fall seven times, stand up eight. – I’m all for perseverance but see a doctor if you’re falling that much.
Do you believe in soulmates? Why or why not? – Asks the daily prompt.
Soulmates is a term I haven’t used a lot, but I feel like I’ve had several. So yes, I believe in them.
That connection that is stronger than most. The feeling that they know you and you know them on a deeper level.
Lots of marriages have found their soulmates and their love for each other is boundless and unconditional. Soulmates look into your eyes and you into theirs.
Soulmates don’t lose connection because they are naturally drawn together. You understand them easily. You can understand their pain and empathize with them. You say good things about each other and support each other. In ways that make you both better.
You’re in sync with each other, you listen better and interact with enthusiasm.
The other day I remembered an old childhood friend. We were soulmates. I’ve been married to my soulmate for decades. And luckily a few more are soulmates that I’ve had for decades.
Soulmates can rescue and save you at times in life. And you for them.
Why do I believe in them. I’ve experienced it.
Sometimes soulmates never speak a word but communicate more than most people.
What’s something you’d love to see in the future, but know you probably won’t live to witness? – Interesting question from the daily prompt.
I’d love to see peace in the world but that certainly won’t happen in my lifetime.
I’d love to see great leadership appear and guide this country in a better direction. I guess it’s a possibility, but it seems so far off.
I’d love to see people live in better harmony with the earth we live on. We are abusing our own home. And I probably won’t be around to see the real damage we have done.
I’d love to see all my grandchildren as adults finding their love and being happy.
Do you believe in minimalism? – Asks the daily prompt.
I reckon so. And I find the less I have, the less I have to worry about.
The most important thing are not things.
