What’s your favorite game (card, board, video, etc.)? Why?
I’m going with ping pong as my favorite game because it’s a miniature form of tennis which I love. Favorite card game is black jack and favorite board game is chess.
Are you game?
Tag Archives: dailyprompt
Taken for granted
What foods would you like to make? – I’ll respond to the daily writing prompt differently on this question.
I have a full stomach and therefore I should share that feeling. I donated to the Maryland Food Bank this morning.
A steak wouldn’t be a bad idea this weekend.
Hard choice
Dogs or cats? – Now there is a simple question from the daily writing prompt that could incite some real debate.
I love them both but probably cats. Only because dogs need a lot more time and attention. Not that I didn’t lavish both on cats, but dogs are on another level. Of course there are great rewards with that extra time.
The companionship dogs have with people is something special. I’ve seen it over and over. They are so entuned to their humans it’s unique.
But the balance cats have had with me that seems to work best. They are very loving animals but also like their time like I like my time. Example-when we watch our sons dogs, I feel guilty if I leave them home for 30 minutes to go out for an errand. Don’t feel that with a cat, unless I’m going on vacation.
Time thoughts
Which activities make you lose track of time? – Not a bad question from the daily writing prompt.
There have been so many over my lifetime that it’s hard to recall. They say time flies when you’re having fun and I’ve guess I’ve had my share because time certainly has gotten away from me.
In some ways it’s okay to lose track of time if you’re doing it for the right reasons. But time is a precious gift and one not to be wasted.
- The endless games played as a youth. From whole days spent on the basketball courts to even the early days of tag, time would always seem irrelevant. Riding bikes, playing in the snow or a stream would pass hours that seemed like a second.
- As I grew up, working hard would always make me lose track of time. But before you knew it the workday was over.
- Sitting on a beach always seems to melt away any sense of time. Only the sun changing positions in the sky late in the day shakes me to the time.
- Being with my family is an easy one to lose track of time with. Most of the time it seems they are leaving just after getting here, but it’s usually been hours.
- When I’m photographing or writing sometimes time will get away from me.
- My best friends and I have a weekly vigil. Just to blow off steam and share some stories. We always lose track of time on those nights.
- Laying in the hammock looking at the clouds slowly moving across the sky.
- Watching YouTube videos and listening to music.
- When we travel, time seems to disappear.
Bothers
What bothers you and why? – Not a positive question to start the day off with from the daily writing prompt.
On a good day, not much bothers me. I hope to have a lot of good days in the future. Spending time on things that bother me takes my focus away from things I love and cherish.
But off the top of my head, early this morning the following thoughts bother me.
- Liars – It seems not to bother many, but it does me. Truth matters.
- Stubbing my toe on a chair leg. Pain obviously.
- People who lack compassion, respect, manners, empathy. If you need a why you may be one.
- Cable companies – need I say more.
- War – needless, senseless death.
- That I haven’t always used time wisely. Time is finite.
- Bird crap on the car I just washed. Like I said I just washed it.
- People who look down on others. Most of them don’t realize they are too small to do that.
- Getting more forget full. I forgot why.
- Bad drivers – because they kill, injure and maim people needlessly.
- Not having enough wall space for the photos, I take. I guess I make too many prints.
- Selfishness and greed – because it’s ugly and causes suffering.
I could have gone on about the dictator and his clown show but that is another post for another day.
My 10
List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain. – Interesting and difficult question from the daily writing prompt today.
- I love my family
- Truth matters
- Laughter is good for my soul
- We are disrespecting our earth which is our home
- One day this body will fail – life is short – love each day
- Weather changes
- There is too much senseless violence, killing and greed
- Without health, life is a bitch
- Life changes every day, get used to it
- There is a lot of good in this world, and a good bit of evil.
Neither
Are you seeking security or adventure? – An interesting question from the daily writing prompt.
After reflecting for a few minutes, I don’t believe I’m seeking either one. I’m looking for love, laughter, contentment, and good health for those around me and myself. Some good meals and time on the beach.
Wishing
The daily writing prompt asks the question – If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?
I’d invite my parents. I miss them both a lot. My father died when I was young, and I can’t remember a family meal together.
Better with age
What do you think gets better with age? – Decent question from the daily writing prompt.
I feel I’ve gotten better with age. I hear wine and spirits get better with age. Most friendships and marriages get better with age though some don’t.
Age has given me appreciation, which is good.
The love for my home gets better with age, except when maintenance is needed.
The number of good memories increases with age.
I have more self-confidence and knowledge with age, so I guess that is better.
I’m constantly learning how to be happier which without age wouldn’t happen.
Up and ready
What time do you go to bed and wake up currently? – The daily writing prompt delving into my sleep cycles.
For me there is no one answer to this question. I’m all over the place. I’m still fighting that decade of overnight shift work and a screwed-up sleep pattern. Also going to bed doesn’t always mean I’ve slept in between.
Last night I crashed at 9pm and woke at 2:30am. Some nights I’ll stay up till 2-3 in the morning before going to bed and then get up around 7 – 8am.
For that last decade I worked I would go to bed at 7-8am and then rise around noon or 1pm. That was Monday to Wednesday. On Thursday I would only take a short nap in the morning after getting off work at 7am and then try to flip to a schedule where I slept from 11pm – 5am Friday, Saturday nights. On Sunday I would be up from early morning till I finish work on Monday morning. Usually a 24–26-hour day.
In retirement I will occasionally allow myself a short midday nap. But not too often.
Comfort
What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life? – A thoughtful question from the daily writing prompt.
Funny thing is I never thought about employing strategies to increase comfort.
Other than when we get a new bed, we always want one more comfortable than the last one, I’m having trouble thinking of others. Oh, the great pillow she got me a few years back. That’s comfort. Good strategy my better half.
Comfort has never been a big priority. Probably because I couldn’t afford it. Comfort in a car is way down the list. It’s nice and when sitting in a new car for the first time, it’s the first thing you react to. But it’s not a decision maker.
My home is comfortable, but both of my office chairs are busted pieces of crap. I have a hand me down recliner that is too small for me. The bed is comfortable, but I don’t spend a lot of time there.
I do have a hammock that I do love to lay in and look at the clouds overhead.
Well, that covers the physical comforts. Because the word comfort always relates to my body when I first think of it.
Mentally I try to be with people that make me comfortable. Sometimes that means alone but most of the time it’s with family and friends.
Other than that, I’m fine playing with my hobbies, listening to music and learning new things.
I’m comfortable in my own skin and don’t have tattoos or piercings. Not that I have anything against them.
Excited
What are you most excited about for the future? – One of those wish questions from the daily writing prompt.
I guess the moments with my family would be the thing I’m excited about the most. Be it a short visit, a meal or vacation together. I’m excited to have plans with friends and hobbies and activities I love.
I’m excited that despite how dark things are getting that there are people that will pull together to change direction.
I’m excited about today and hope I have tomorrow.
Harmony
What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony? – Asks the daily writing prompt.
Wow, this one caused me to pause a bit.
I’ve let go of a lot of things over time for harmony. To list them out might disrupt that harmony. Many have been very difficult to lose. Some, not so much in reflection.
Some have been actual things and others just dreams or wishes.
I’m big on keeping harmony because I dislike drama. And this is a question that creates it. So, I’ll leave my answer today short and sweet.
Tunes
What is your favorite genre of music? – A good question from the daily writing prompt that has inspired me to put the headphones back on.
I like Rock and Classic Rock the best. I also like R&B a lot and I do get into Heavy Metal. I’ll listen to Country, Jazz or Classical on occasions.
I LOVE MUSIC. It makes my day better.
Vacay
Describe your most memorable vacation. – That is a tough question from the daily writing prompt.
I sat here for a few minutes bouncing from memory to memory of past vacations. And for the life of me I can’t place one above another.
So, I’ll describe this coming vacation hopes and possible memories. My better half, my children and grandchildren together for a week at the beach. I get to play with the 3- and 6-year-old in the mornings and hold an infant after she’s been fed and is in good spirits.
I get to see my children without the constant stresses they have when at home, working and endlessly busy. Maybe some relaxed conversations together, catching up or just sitting quietly watching the kids play. Out sitting on the porch watching the sunset over the bay.
Sharing mealtimes and my son telling me to chew quieter and listen to laughter. Going to the beach and pool during the days, sometimes together, sometimes not, which is fine. Walking the boardwalks and watching the children play games and then me getting interested and playing along with them side by side.
Maybe going on an amusement ride or two with the little ones. Hitting the kids favorite candy stores and trinket shops. Everyone picking lunch and dinner spots to go. Playing miniature golf.
Most mornings I’m up before sunrise and out to take photos before everyone gets up. Finishing at least one night with my favorite ice cream stand.
Eating crabs, working on my tan, pushing my feet into the sand. Standing at the inlet watching the fishing fleet go out in the morning or come in from the day’s catch.
Taking walks on the beach or along the back streets looking over the bay and wildlife. Looking for shells for the grandkids or pointing out dolphins swimming by.
Watching my family grow older, happier and getting to absorb them the whole week will always be my most memorable vacation, no matter which trip it is.
Nada
On what subject(s) are you an authority? – Well, this is a simple question from the daily writing prompt.
I don’t believe I have one subject I’m an authority on. Not that I don’t have a wealth of life and work experience. I worked hard at both being the best I can. Then again, I did make it fun along the way so that kept the authority tag out of grasp.
There is the 5 decades of work in the Newspaper industry in many roles. Through that history I’ve always been blessed with working with extremely talented peers who I always considered the authorities. Good for keeping the ego in check. This is probably the area where I have the greatest depth of knowledge. Few know the operation from front to back or have worked and had experience with as many aspects of the whole operation as I’ve had the opportunity to do.
In life it’s the same thing. I’ve been lucky to have lots of people who expanded my thinking and view of life. Many who are authorities with insights that helped me be better myself. At the same time, I have a good chest full of life experiences, difficulties and successes that some might consider me an authority in.
I’ve been blogging for over a decade but I’m far from an authority in this. I’m an amateur photographer so that doesn’t qualify.
I’ve helped raise children and now grandchildren, but I’m not the father or papa of the year.
One thing that I gathered a lot of observations and experiences with is working night shifts. Nocturnal life is something most people never experience. And while I did for a few decades, I didn’t do that all my life so I’m sure there are more qualified experts.
I love a lot of people but I’m no authority in it. Lots of experiences in and with cars, but again, no authority.
Like I said NADA.
Then again, I’ve never entered my sweet tooth into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Bitten by love
What’s your definition of a romantic? – Interesting question from the daily writing prompt.
I don’t know what it is, but I try my best because I’m in love. I try to listen and observe to find what is important to my better half. I tell her I love her. I used to be better at getting her flowers for no reason at all. We get away occasionally together on a romantic adventure.
I can’t remember the last time I made her breakfast in bed, but I used to do that. I try to complement her and share both joy and quiet moments. I’ve always embraced her often. I hold her hand. We take walks together.
And to prove I’m a true romantic. I’ll go shopping occasionally when she asks me to.
Gratitude
How do you express your gratitude? – A good question from the daily writing prompt.
I like to express gratitude personally.
My mom taught me to say “thank you” often. And I always have to this day. I see it brighten people’s day. Looking into a person’s eyes also when saying it.
I’ll take the time to express my feelings more deeply of what they or a gesture meant to me when appropriate, in person or by mail.
Finding a gesture that hopefully gives them the same or better feeling.
When I get birthday greetings on Facebook, I reply to each person instead of one post thanking everyone.
I tip well.
I sometimes make prints of events for people.
Sometimes when given love, we get them a toy.
Worry?
What are you most worried about for the future? – Not a very positive question from the daily writing prompt.
- Loved ones and friends health
- Democracy
- Finances
- The environment.
- If I’ll have time to finish all the projects I have in mind.
- How long I’ll have my own health.
- Are the fish biting.
How did that song go? Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Chop Chop
Have you ever had surgery? What for? – I can’t believe the daily writing prompt went there with today’s question.
I’ve had 6 surgeries. One knee, both shoulders, appendix and two cancers. At least that’s what I can recall off the top of my head on a way too early Sunday morning.
Surgeries give me chills. Just seeing that word this morning gave me an uneasy feeling.
Oh, just remembered another one from my teen years. Oral surgeon cut out my wisdom teeth. I think that one qualified on just the blood and pain alone. Funny thing, I still think I’m forgetting one or two.
I’m very thankful for the talented surgeons who have worked on me and the care I’ve received from nurses and staff.
Daily
What are your daily habits? – The daily writing prompts getting all personal again.
Wake before sunrise most days. Take meds. Do some morning writing and photo editing or printing. Read, watch or listen to some news. Emails/texts/calls to friends and family. Read some blogs. Home and yard chores.
Spend time with my better half, exercise, tinker in my workshop. Listen to music, find something to laugh about, and try to eat well.
Get outside and if the sun is out, soak some of it in and look at the sky for a while. Listen and look at nature.
If I’m lucky I’ll spend some time photographing and drawing.
I used to work for daily newspaper and work every day, but those days have ended.
See the light
Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle? – The daily writing prompt digging deep this morning.
It’s a good thing I look up some terms because I misinterpret things occasionally. Like the term sustainable lifestyle. When I Googled it, I found this answer.
Sustainable Lifestyles are considered as ways of living, social behaviors and choices, that minimize environmental degradation (use of natural resources, CO2 emissions, waste and pollution) while supporting equitable socio-economic development and better quality of life for all.
Wow, I was thinking about how we sustain ourselves, like our health. Ops.
So, minimizing environmental degradation and things I try to practice daily.
I try to limit the use of energy to heat and cool the home each day. We recycle and drive fuel efficient vehicles. We don’t waste food or water. I don’t litter and I will pick up others trash. I try to limit my trash footprint.
My property is mostly wooded in back and I try to keep it as natural as possible. Which means I watch out for turtles, snakes and other critters when mowing a portion of the area. The view of the sun shining through the trees in the morning during the summer from my kitchen window always reminds me to respect nature.
Seafood for the win
What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten? – Now there is a question to savor from the daily writing prompt.
As I’ve sat here for the last few hours doing some chores and going over great meals I’ve had I’m no closer to choosing one thing as the most delicious.
First, I had to decide between seafood and meat, which is almost impossible to start with. I guess my love for seafood wins.
I’ll go with freshly caught rockfish from the Chesapeake Bay, grilled and topped with Maryland crab imperial.
Wear this
If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be? – Another softball question from the daily writing prompt.
That outfit would be a pair of shorts, a tee shirt and flipflops. I like casual and comfortable. I guess that means I’ll have to move to a warmer climate. Then again, I can wait because it seems to be coming to me.
Another hot one on the way today, so be careful out there.
To each their own
How important is spirituality in your life? – A rather touchy question from the daily writing prompt.
I feel as if I’ve addressed this before in a previous blog post, but I’ll give it another go. I consider myself a spiritual person but in my own way. Do I go to church, not much at all anymore. I was raised Catholic but have my differences with that church. Even though it seems to be evolving.
I try to act and live in a Christian manor. I’m not always successful but I always return to that base.
Religion is such a volatile subject for many reasons. I have friends from many denominations and even atheist or two. Rarely has that ever been an issue till someone makes the mistake of projecting their belief structure on someone else.
I experienced that once and it’s not pleasant and changed our friendship.
I’m tired of wars in Gods name. I’m tired of pretend people of faith. I’m tired of people using the church to condemn others. I’m tired of fake presidents selling bibles as a grift.
Practice, did you say practice?
How do you practice self-care? – An interesting ask by the daily writing prompt.
Well, I’ve never been good at eating well or making sleep a priority. I’m making efforts to turn both of those things around.
I do walk and I like being out in nature. I exercise a bit but not as much as I should. I love to drive so I do that often.
I do things like listening to music and finding ways to express myself. I like being with people. I love working on my hobbies and sharing them. And being with my better half certainly is very important.
I love to laugh and find things to make others laugh.
I haven’t practiced enough self-care in my lifetime. Don’t make that mistake. Get off self-destructive tracks.
Practice some self-care in this heat please. Keep pumping fluids if you must be outside for periods.
Have a good day all.
Sands of time
How do you waste the most time every day? – A very good question from the daily writing prompt to remind me to get away from these faults.
I would say watching TV or Videos are the worst.
I also waste time thinking about what I should be doing instead of doing it. I waste time worrying about if what I’m doing is good enough. I waste time after I’ve completed something worrying about if I should have been doing something else.
Wasting time is something I’ve done too much of. It is one of my regrets. I could have accomplished so much more. That is why I’m trying to take advantage of each day now and make the most of it. The adage – better late than never – is what I work with now.
Not that I haven’t worked very hard in my careers, I did and continue to. But if I was smarter with my time, I’d have a lot more to show for it.
Time is a gift not to be wasted.
Childhood tastes
Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood? – The daily writing prompt with another food question.
PBJ sandwiches, meatloaf, grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, Thanksgiving dinners, Frosted Flakes and who could not remember the smell of BACON as a youth. I might be forgetting a few things but I’ll go with these to start.
Favorites
Who is your favorite historical figure? – Now there is a tough question from the daily writing prompt.
Questions that leave me sitting and thinking for a few minutes before I even touch the keyboard are interesting.
I have no one, favorite.
- When I wander around Arlington National Cemetery, I feel surrounded by historical figures.
- George Carlin and Robin Williams who made people look at the world differently.
- The inventor of basketball James Naismith.
- Whomever invented ice cream.
Crushed
Write about your first crush. – An interesting question from the daily writing prompt.
The first crush was a long time ago. I actually can’t remember which was first. In elementary school I had a crush on Cindi. But I also had a crush on a girl named Jackie. She was the older sister of a good friend I grew up with.
That first attraction, those first nerves when they transform from neighbor or classmate to Wow. It makes me smile to think of those youthful feelings.
Travel
What countries do you want to visit? – I can rock and roll with this question from the daily writing prompt.
I’d like to start by seeing some of my own country. Things like NYC and some of our grand national parks out west. Maybe the Key West in Florida and San Diego or San Francisco. I hear Charleston and Savana are beautiful. Maybe Denver or Boston also.
My better half wants to go to Ireland, so I want to go to Ireland.
I’d like to see Italy, France, Spain, UK and Australia if I were to want to travel that much.
Then again if I get no further than the beaches of Maryland and Delaware, that is okay with me.
What’s
What’s your favorite thing about yourself? – Not the most comfortable question from the daily writing prompt.
I like that I can make people laugh and smile through my words and actions.
Retirement thoughts
How do you want to retire? – Well daily writing prompt question, you’re a little late with this one.
I’ve been retired now for 18 months. I’ve achieved some of the goals I had going into it and still have a lot more to work on.
- I wanted to sleep better – coming off years of overnight shift needed some adjustments.
- Spend more time with family and friends – doing well on this one.
- I want to travel a little bit – we have done a few small things but looking forward some larger trips.
- I want to work on my hobbies – I’m forging ahead in some areas well but need to really step up my woodworking and drawing/painting.
- Work on some home and yard improvement projects – not doing too bad, that is a lot of hard work at my age, but I also believe it helps keep me young.
- Cook and read more – another spot I could do much better at.
- I thought I’d have some more time to volunteer but that hasn’t materialized.
Some observations from my short time in retirement.
Get your financial and medical houses in order immediately. It takes time and effort.
I’d become so used to a nocturnal schedule I still struggle sleeping well at night. I’m usually up very early In some ways that works out well because I can work on my creative interest and not cut into family time. I’m tired a lot. I have taken naps occasionally now.
Even though I’m retired, most of my friends are still working.
Adapting at home. That transition for us has been easier because I was working from home my last few years. But we still had adjustments because we were on different schedules then and now we spend a lot more time together.
Less stress. Ownership changes and mass retirements in the last decade of my work changed it completely for me. What was once a family had become just a job. One that I loved doing but not for a lot of the people running it. So, the transition into retirement was easy on that front. I was ready to be gone. Making a separation from something you love is a lot harder. I see one of my best friends struggling through that now.
Having goals, challenges, plans are important. I had some childhood loves I set aside that I always wanted to return to and now I have the time.
Grandchildren – What a blessing and time consumer. I love them dearly, I will do anything for them. I’m glad we are close enough to help both families. Most of the time we miss them. But it does change the schedule quickly and thankfully we have that flexibility now.
TIME DISAPPEARS QUICKLY
Dad’s Desk
What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily? – Now there is a brain twister from the daily writing prompt. I have a lot of old things, now what gets use?
I had to think about this one for a minute but then, there it was. I was sitting at my father’s desk working on this post and an email to my son wishing him a happy Father’s Day and editing photos and realized the desk was the oldest thing I use daily.
The computer has always been on that desk and that means the last 45 years at least. It’s a beautiful desk, made of cherry wood. It’s not real big, good for a laptop and prevents me from being a pig with papers building up.
Kind of fitting this question would come up on Father’s Day. A reminder of his presence in my life. And when my days are done, I’ll have his desk refinished for my son. Maybe I’m doing work he didn’t get to complete.
Plus 2
Describe one of your favorite moments. – A nice question from the daily writing prompt.
Thankfully I’m a lucky person and I have many to choose from. And I look forward to creating many more.
The birth of our first and second child. Each unique, but both so special. The moment I saw them laying on their mother and opening their eyes. The 3 days leading up to that first moment were exhausting, trying, stressful and terrifying. If I wasn’t so tired now, I’d go look up some more adjectives.
Only to be topped by our birth of the second child where I came close to losing my better half for a second time. Thankfully we are all here to remember those and many moments beyond but seeing and then holding them were my favorite moments.
Of course, nobody warned me of life being an interesting ride after that.
What?
What notable things happened today? – Kind of strange question from the daily writing prompt.
Let’s look here. They want to know how I slept this morning because that is all I’ve accomplished besides sitting down at the computer. I slept fine, thank you.
Or maybe they want me to wait until the end of the day to respond to this question. Nope, the time is now for answering the daily writing prompt
Or they want me to do historical research. I love history but I’m not into regurgitating this morning.
I do know 50 years ago that I had just graduated high school, and I believe I was headed to the ocean this weekend. Ah the days of youth. Time has passed by so quickly.
I know it’s my daughters-in-law’s birthday. And, their pet dog celebrates the same day. I love them both dearly.
Here are some notable things I hope happen today.
- I hope to finish my home power washing project.
- Both my better half and I have an urge for a good pizza so I hope that it will be our dinner tonight.
- I hope to take a ride on country roads without being tailgated, cut off or run off the road.
- I hope pain meds aren’t needed.
- I’d like to take some great photos and finish a charcoal drawing I started the other day.
- I’d like to remember to put the cover on the car tonight before the 5 straight days of rain starts.
Just a few
What are you passionate about? – The daily writing prompt digging into me again.
Could be a long list, but I’ll leave it to a few things I’m passionate about.
- My better half
- My children and grandchildren
- Friends
- My work
- Driving
- Eating
- Laughter
- Nature
- Music
Sum Sum Summertime
What is your favorite season of year? Why? – The daily writing prompt with a softball question today.
Summer is my favorite season and the list of why is a long one. I’ll be as brief as possible.
Just being outdoors and comfortable. Be it in the convertible with the top down or wandering the local wooded paths along the Patapsco River. But best of all in the sands on the beach or in a lounge chair by a pool or just on my deck catching rays.
I love stepping outside in the morning before sunrise in shorts and listening to the birds sing and not shivering.
Both my daughter and daughter-in-law are teachers so the chance of seeing them more goes up. As well as some family get togethers. I can get out the squirt guns with the grandchildren.
I love to photograph during the summer months. And that means I like to explore during those times also.
It’s the time of year I can lay in my hammock and feel comfortable. Summer sunrises and sunsets are the best. Maryland crab season begins.
I can wash my car and its not covered in pollen the next day. The grill comes alive and charcoal bags arrive two by two.
Seeing the summer sweet corn growing, being harvested and the local produce stands coming alive. The fleet of fishing boats going out for the days catch or big tournaments.
The county and state fairs. The local car shows. and spirited drives unfold. The ethnic festivals and craft exhibits. Summer concerts at open pavilion style locations.
The wildlife that seems to come alive. For instance, the deer that was just born the other morning in my backyard. I like the sound the wind makes as it goes through leaves on the trees. Thunderstorms and rain on sunflowers as the sun shines.
If I thought about all my past summers with things I loved I could fill a book. I’m sure as soon as I post this, I’ll say crap, wish I had added this.
There are great things about all seasons. But nothing even comes close to summer for me.
A great meal
What’s the one luxury you can’t live without? – This should be an easy one from the daily writing prompt.
But it left me scratching my head. I first had to search my mind for what luxuries we have. By most standards almost none. No luxury home or cars. No boats or vacation home. No extravagant travel or toys. No high-end libations.
I guess I’d say having that good meal at a nice restaurant with my better half once in a while, is something that would be hard to do without.
or the steak and cake.
My line
If humans had taglines, what would yours be? – The daily writing prompt with a request out of my wheelhouse.
This one made me think for a bit. It sounds like a job for my marketing department if I had one. Now where is that multipurpose hat I use? Well, here are a few attempts at something that I’m no good at.
Laughing Living Surviving Savoring
Painting life with Pictures 4 U & Me
Partner 2 Parent 2 Papa
Simple man-complex times-best I can
The good life
What are the most important things needed to live a good life? – A nice question for a Sunday from the daily writing prompt.
I would start with health obviously. Without that most other things are difficult to enjoy. Next would be love. Having children and grandchildren has been a nice touch. Some important work or passion. Maybe fortunate enough to live in a nice climate or go to one. Good and plentiful food.
Great friends that bring laughter and support, while you give back the same and more. The ability and desire to learn.
Live a long time and have nothing but great memories to reflect on in your final days or moments that leave a smile on your face.
Time with
Who do you spend the most time with? – Okay question from the daily writing prompt.
I spend the most time with my better half. And how lucky I am for that. Saved my life. A beautiful family. Beauty inside and out. Fun travel companion. Great cook and homemaker. Good with our money. Compassionate and passionate. And she puts up with me.
How lucky can a man be. Yeah, like any married couple of several decades we have our moments. But I think of some of my friends and family who live alone or have chosen not to take on a partner along life and how different that has to be.
It seems so much easier to take on the world with a partner. And when you get a good one the slim chance of making it is there.
We shared this view together on the porch of the Lighthouse hotel we stayed at this week. Smoke from the wildfires in Canada had drifted into our skies.
No thanks
If you had to change your name, what would your new name be? – The daily writing prompt with another question I’m not thrilled with.
I would never consider changing my name. First I’m proud of the name my parents gave me, and I’m happy with it.
So if you told me I had to change my name I think I’d just give you the one finger salute. I am who I am, so take it or leave it.
Sweet
Describe your dream chocolate bar. – I guess the daily writing prompt is struggling for good questions.
Don’t get me wrong. I love chocolate but I don’t dream about chocolate bars. If I want one I’ll have a Snickers or Nestles crunch.
Chocolate is a very hard thing to moderate. Probably because it tastes so good. It takes all my willpower not to pick one up at the stores when I’m there.
Childhood books
Do you remember your favorite book from childhood? – Another damn book question from the daily writing prompt.
No.
So I will tell you what I remember from my childhood. I remember playing outside. I remember my fathers funeral. I remember my first pet cat. I remember my mom working her butt off and crying. I remember skateboards and bikes and sleds. l remember feeling different. I remember work.
3 books
List three books that have had an impact on you. Why? – One of my least favorite questions from the daily writing prompt. I’m not a big book reader, though I read a good bit of blogs, news, articles on photography and art. Some on health and exercise.
OK, three books, let me look at the bookcase.
The Joy of Being Retired by Ernie Zelinski – Helped me look at work and retirement differently and help me prepare and jump into retirement better prepared mentally.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield – This has helped me greatly in the creative process.
Show Your Work by Austin Kleon – A real confidence builder and also a creative process if I remember correctly.
I’m currently on “How to Know a Person” by David Brooks. This one might make the list.
Fear
What fears have you overcome and how? – Well timed question for me this morning from the daily writing prompt.
Yesterday I had to give a speech in front of people. That has always been a big fear. I’ve had to do this periodically in life and its been terrifying.
Working on the speech is fun. I love writing them most of the time. But public speaking isn’t in my wheelhouse.
The speech yesterday was for my best friends’ 45 wedding anniversary. And that was about as easy as I’ve had and stressful as I’ve had. Easy in the sense it was in front of a lot of known people and a few new ones. Stressful in the sense that I wanted it to be perfect for a couple I love.
I’m not a person that can memorize a speech or ad lib one in front of large groups. I read.
I guess I’ve overcome it by just doing it. Early on in my career I was asked to speak at some technical conferences and trade groups. Jeez, I was nervous. I was prepared, I knew what I was talking about and should have been very confident. But my presentation/delivery, needed a lot of work.
Of course I’ve gain confidence over time and repetition. This time my better half was giving my lots of encouragement and that made me feel more relaxed going into it.
Like anything you want to overcome you just have to get to work at it. Force yourself to leave your comfort zone. There will always be people better at it. I try to overcome the nervousness I might have with the words I speak which are hopefully meaningful, insightful, loving, funny, educational or just historical memories.
I should have grabbed a shot of the wedding albums he had laid out of me giving the toast to him as his best man 45 years ago.
One simple thing
Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life. – I’ll try to make this a short answer to the daily writing prompt today.
I guess it’s a good thing in life to have to think about this question because if you have trouble selecting an answer, you have a lot of things bringing you joy.
I will say picking up one of my cameras brings joy to my life. It’s always been that way. Now that I think about it, I should do it more often.
I just know
How do you know when it’s time to unplug? What do you do to make it happen? – Not a bad question for a lot of people to consider from the daily writing prompt.
I think my body is the trigger that tells me it’s time to get up from the computer. And if my body doesn’t catch it my mind will if I feel unproductive or I’m wasting time. I don’t do much with the phone because I leave that alone as much as possible already.
Usually, I just get up and walk away and start another activity or chore for a while. Sometimes to my workroom and the Dremel tool or pick up a camera and stepping outside. Day trips and vacations are times I unplug from completely or just minimal activity like a quick blog post.
Now that I’m no longer working it’s very easy for me to unplug. It wasn’t always that way with most positions I had over the career.
And that leads me to think about the various ways people consider themselves unplugged. I’ve completely unplugged from the technology life I once lived. But I still spend an hour or two or more sometimes on the computer a day.
But those are activities/hobbies I’m enjoying so I don’t feel the need to unplug from them like I did for my work or in the days when technology and news were very important to keep up with at a high level.
Value
What quality do you value most in a friend? – So inquires the daily writing prompt.
I guess trust would be #1. I had written honesty, but I’ll go with trust. I was going through my images and thought about what represents trust.
Mans best friend first needs trust in you. From then on, all things are possible.
A few jobs
What jobs have you had? – Another prying question from the daily writing prompt.
Even though I’m a career newspaper person, I’ve had several different jobs in that field, and before that.
- Paperboy – Delivered papers on a bike.
- Drywall – hanging, mudding, sanding
- Lawn boy – mow
- Ice Cream factory – 1/2-gallon line.
- Cook – at a couple places
- Reproduction photographer – Engraving – platemaking – stripping
- Pressman
- Inserter
- Photo Coordinator
- Graphics Manager
- Prepress Technology Development Manager
- System/Prepress Manager
- Systems Operations Manager
- Publishing Business Partner
- System and Engineering Programmer/Analyst
- Publishing System Team Lead
- Senior UNIX System Administrator.
- Network Operations Center team lead
I’m retired now but working hard on my next career in the arts and writing.
Depends on who you ask
Do you practice religion? – Another personal question that I’m not really interested in, but will answer regardless.
I have my beliefs. I was raised Catholic. I rarely go to church. I would not say I’m a practicing Catholic in the traditional sense, but I try to be one each day in the world. I have disagreements with the Catholic church which puts me at odds with other Catholics at times.
And I think the way they handled the abuse issue is disgusting. And they wonder why they lose parishioners.
I try my best each day. But a supposed very religious person once told me I’m going to hell. Kind of strange though, because I know his past transgressions are far more egregious and how we live and care for our fellow man today, I feel I also have an edge on him. So maybe I’ll have company.
I see a lot of religious people marching to their services but then behaving badly the rest of the week. Lots of people, even powerful leaders claim to be working for God but doing things counter to his teachings. Even those standing in pulpits of these mega churches apparently are far from who they pretend to be.
Personally, I’m trying to sort it out still. Just trying to do the right thing and make the right decisions.
Life before
Do you remember life before the internet? – Good question for us old farts.
Yes, I do, and it was wonderful. It was far more friendly. We would play outside all day till dark. We were always doing some physical activities. Riding bikes, playing sports or games and building forts. My skateboard was a flat piece of wood with steel wheels.
I remember working many years without the internet. I remember having a BBS (Bulletin Board System) before we had the internet. We thought that was the greatest thing. It certainly lit the bulb of things to come.
I remember having maps in a glove box in the car. Remembering hundreds of phone numbers and knowing people’s addresses.
Having to figure out things on our own by trial and error because instructions didn’t come with troubleshooting or vendor support.
The thing I liked the most was there was more person to person contact and communication.
The internet provides many wonderful things. And some are not so wonderful.
Good at
What are you good at? – I’m not into this type of question from the daily writing prompt.
I feel like I am good at a number of things, but I’ll leave that for others to decide. I don’t like blowing my own horn so I’ll just list a few.
- I was good as a youth baseball player.
- I was a good UNIX Admin.
- I hope I’ve always been good at being a father.
- I’m good at making things last.
- I’m a good driver.
- I hope I’m a good artist.
- I have a good memory.
It all
What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable? – A great question from the daily writing prompt.
Having it all means many things to me.
First is if I wake and feel healthy, I realize I already have it all because without your health you have nothing.
I have it all when it comes to family. And if they and my friends are healthy and safe, we have it all.
I married the most beautiful and smartest girl in the world which was beyond all my dreams.
So far, I’ve been given the gift of time and that is having it all.
I have it all, but most would say I have little. And therefore, my point, being happy with all that you have been given. Be it people, opportunities, things or experiences.
I’m just as happy photographing my little old town a few miles down the road as I would be photographing Rome.
I made it through my professional career, having many warm memories and experiences. And made it to retirement and started my own new career that is having it all.
Grandchildren certainly expanded my belief in having it all.
I have it all, without focusing on having it all, all my life.
Having it all sometimes comes with a lot of hardship. That makes it easier to know you already have it all.
A talking to
Who would you like to talk to soon? – An odd question from the daily writing prompt.
Let’s see, that is quite a long list.
- I’d like to talk to my better half when she wakes up in a few hours.
- I’d like to talk to my children and grandchildren this weekend.
- I’d like to talk to my sister which has been difficult recently.
- I’d like to talk to my friends and find out what they are up to this weekend
- I’d like to talk to Verizon after dropping channels from my service after they did a hardware upgrade and promised me nothing would change from my current plan.
- I’d like to talk to the person I trust for financial advice.
- I’d like to talk to my friends who cheer for the Baltimore Orioles and remind them the Yankees are in 1st place.
Belongings
What personal belongings do you hold most dear? – The daily writing prompts getting personal again.
Another question that made me think a bit. And not counting the gifts the kids or grandkids have made for me which I will always hold dear.
I’d say it’s my father’s cherry desk that I work at. Maybe my photographs and cameras. Of course, my Miata. An old baseball bat from my youth. A scarf of my mother’s. Cufflink with the USN and Medical insignias of my dad’s.
And if I get moving good and finish writing a book and completing some more artwork, I’m sure those will be close to my heart.
I do hold trinkets of my Newspaper career that are special to me.
Collections
Do you have any collections? – An interesting question from the daily writing prompt.
If you asked my better half if I had any collections, she would probably say yes – junk.
Over time I’ve had a few collections, most of them are gone now. Like most young boys of my generation, we used to collect baseball cards. I had a nice one. But those are gone now except for a few that I’ll pass down one day.
I still have a collection of old cameras from the family and my history with photography. I have my collection of art, mostly photography.
Oh, I still have several record albums from my youth. And a few beer steins and goblets.
I have a collection of 4 shells I picked up at the beach over 3 decades ago. It was an especially difficult time personally and professionally. I remember finding them and holding onto them thinking this is us. From the day we came home from the shore they have been on my desk in front of me since then. They give me strength because they represent my family.
I almost forgot about this one, I haven’t touched it in decades. I have a stamp collection from my youth that I built on from what my mom and dad started. That I still have and one day will organize.
My most important collection is my memories and the personal things my children have given me over the years.
Had to think about this
What is the legacy you want to leave behind? An interesting question I haven’t asked myself yet comes from the daily writing prompt.
I guess I should have thought about this question a long time ago, but I guess I’ve been busy building whatever will be perceived of my time here and who you ask.
I’d like to be remembered as a good son, husband and father. Far from perfect but I gave it my best.
I’d hope that many would consider me a good friend. One that added some joy and laughter to their lives
If people believed I was thoughtful and compassionate, that would make me happy.
That I worked very hard to provide a better life for the family. That some might have enjoyed the photos, writing or art I produced.
That I loved, sacrificed, cared, and shared.
That I was a good teammate in life, work and sports.
I was proud to have worked in the Newspaper industry on by the local and daily levels when truth and facts mattered.
That I was lucky. A 2x cancer survivor.
That I loved driving cars and motorcycles.
Other wild stories from the late 60s, the 70s and early 80s I can neither confirm or deny. Luckily there is no videotape. Remember details from old friends may be highly embellished and hard to believe. Keep in mind that they are old and their memories may be suspect. They grew up at the same time and did many of the things I may or may not have done. So again, stories of escapades of my youth might be greatly exaggerated.
No Cold
How do you feel about cold weather? – The writing prompt today has hit a nerve. Luckily we are entering the warm weather seasons so I can brush this question off after I answer it, and not get depressed at the thought of being cold.
I despise the cold weather. I rant about cold weather to friends and family. I dread the winter season. I hate wearing lots of clothes. I get chilled easily and I hate shivering. I’m getting too old to shovel snow in the freezing cold. Normal activities, going to the store, getting gas, going to the mailbox become unpleasant.
The cold dry weather dries my skin. My lips get chapped, my body aches more and the lack of sunlight and being outside puts me in less-than-optimal spirits. And of course, the cold weather ushers in the flu and other seasonal bugs that spread like wildfire because we’re all stuck inside because of the cold.
There is even a term now (isn’t there one for everything) for this called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I’m no expert at it. It doesn’t make me sad; it makes me mad. I get hostile about the cold. I curse it if I must go outside and it’s very cold.
The amount of wildlife I get to see diminishes.
And the ultimate reason I HATE cold weather. It makes riding with the top down on my car very uncomfortable.
My friends and I refer to the cold as THE Hawk. My friends say to me “embrace The Hawk” because they love the winter season. I curse them and look forward to teasing them all summer as they complain about having to sweat.
I do find beauty in each season. I will concede the following good points about cold weather.
The night sky is beautiful but it’s too cold to stay outside long enough to enjoy it.
The air is crisp and clear. So much so it seems to refresh my lungs.
The quiet after snow always causes me to smile and want to whisper if I speak.
Nope
Have you ever broken a bone? – This might be the easiest answer to a daily writing prompt I’ve given.
Nope, never broke a bone to my knowledge. I’ve always drank my milk.
In some ways I guess this is balanced. I’ve got a good number of surgical scars on my body, so no broken bones is the way of making my universe even.
Something snapped this one.
Photos by Mike Hartley
Balance
How do you balance work and home life? – A very deep question from the daily writing prompt. I thought Sunday was a day of rest. Talking about work doesn’t seem right.
I’ve never got a grip on work and home life balance. Most of the time work won out. Which means I cut sleep or fun or sometimes family short. I tried my best, but I know work won out sometimes when it shouldn’t have.
But you do what you got to do at times to maintain, move ahead, take advantage of an opportunity, go for a goal.
I stayed involved in kids activities. And help out at home, but I should have done more.
It’s a difficult thing to master. It’s like marriage, it’s never 50/50 all the time. It’s best if you talk about this as careers change over time.
Observations – It seems the most challenging time in people’s careers also comes at the same time as they are starting a family. And that balance is the most difficult during a person’s 20s, 30s and 40s years of age.
At times in life, you may be forced to draw a line. Some companies or bosses don’t give a damn about a work/life balance and if you have a life that is your problem. Luckily, I didn’t encounter but a few of these for short periods.
Just being recently retired I would say to a younger person, don’t cut life short. Yes, work hard and smart but don’t let work dictate life. It’s a tool to help you along in life.
Life choices
What sacrifices have you made in life? – An interesting question from the daily writing prompt.
Some might consider things we have done as sacrifices, but most of them were life choices that included sacrifices to meet a goal. Most of it comes down to time and giving.
We lived off one salary for a good while to have one of us home with the children when they were young.
We saved, so our kids could do something we didn’t do, get a college degree.
I’ve driven a used car most of my life. Some without A/C. And one without heat. Then there was the year I rode a motorcycle year round, because I didn’t have a car.
Packed lunch most years instead of going out.
Worked my ass off and missed a lot of fun and sleep.
Caregiver for elderly parents.
Lots of life is appreciating all you’ve been given, not what you don’t have. And those sacrifices above all were worth it. And I guess that doesn’t make them sacrifices.
Giving a kidney, going into a war zone to fight for country, donating your time and effort to a charitable cause. Those are sacrifices. I don’t have a full set of kidneys, I’m a bit old to fight unless Trump or Putin want a piece of me, so I guess I better get busy helping others.
Wise ass
What’s the oldest things you’re wearing today? – Another simple question from the daily writing prompt.
My skin is the oldest thing I’m wearing today. But if you’re talking about something over it I guess the old pair of tennis shoes that I use for yard work will be tied on today.
At least that is my hope. I’m watching the sun rise this morning over the Atlantic and it’s giving me hopes of more sun than clouds today.
Both
Are you a leader or a follower? – That’s an interesting question from the daily writing prompt for first thing in the morning.
I believe I’m both. I don’t have a problem taking the lead in life. I was a lead or boss from time to time in my professional career. But I’m also a good follower when I see experience and knowledge I don’t have yet.
I guess in a way I lead my family or at least share in the leading.
With my friends I go along more instead of lead.
When it comes to directions I lead. I have a very good sense in that aspect.
In sports, I enjoyed coaching which is leading. But it was also fun being a player and following.
Comment –
If you’re a follower, be very careful in your choice of leader to follow.
If you’re a leader, have respect for that position and those that follow you.
I love fruits
List your top 5 favorite fruits. – The daily writing prompt is getting into my diet again.
I thought I’d have a little fun this morning. They say you should have 5 portions of fruits and veggies each day I believe. So, I got a little inventive to help me process that Top 5 fruit favorites.
Cherry Ice Cream Soda
Strawberry Shortcake
Bananas Foster
Apple Pie
Blueberry Pancakes
Just one
What’s one small improvement you can make in your life? – I guess the daily writing prompt knew better than asking what improvements I could make in my life. For there are many.
I could be more patient. Simple as that. It’s something I worked on throughout my life. Both at my jobs and my personal life. I know I’ve made progress over time but there is still work to be done.
Impact
Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life. – So asks the daily writing prompt.
I was short on time yesterday I didn’t get a chance to write about my Mom. She had a positive influence on my life in many ways. The stories are personal now that she is gone. I might share them with my kids and grandchildren.
But I will say I saw a huge amount of courage, smarts, and determination in the face of very difficult circumstances. Love and compassion were things she displayed. She loved nature, be it nurturing her gardens or the wildlife or pets she spoiled. She was talented at the arts and very good at crafts.
She was calm at very stressful times. She endured a lot of emotional pain, losing loved ones at young ages. She was talented and insightful. She had a great sense of right and wrong. She loved her children and her sisters. And she could love a total stranger.
She believed there was good in everyone and looked for it. She was generous and sensitive. I miss her smile, her reassurance, her love and much more. When she passed over a decade ago, I was no longer #1 in anyone’s life. I miss that feeling.
And being she raised me I’d add that she had the patience of a Saint. I believe there is a saying about traits skipping a generation. I’m kind of sensing it might have some validity. I see a lot of her in my children.
Freedom
What does freedom mean to you? – Now there is a question that is very deep from the daily writing prompt.
It feels like freedom is slipping away lately. I thought this country represented freedom. It does in some ways. My father fought in 2 wars to maintain our freedom. His father fought in WWI before that.
We are freer here than in most of the world. But in many ways, we aren’t free at all. Controlled by jobs, areas we live in and the varying laws and enforcement of each.
Unfortunately for some people see the color of skin as a qualifier. Or maybe the amount of money you have.
Today for me, freedom meant having the time to spend loving my family. It means not having to get up and go to work and answer to someone else tomorrow morning. It means the ability to move about freely without issue.
It gives me the right to speak my mind freely. To pursue interest of my own choosing.
But with freedom come great responsibilities. It only works if most of us pull together. If we are respectful, lawful, ethical, and compassionate but strong, freedom stands a much chance of survival.
Yes, freedom is liberty, but unrestrained liberties will always infringe on others unfairly.
I visit Arlington National Cemetery to see my parents. That and many other cemeteries and those injured in conflicts are the real price of freedom. Also those who serve our military and public service like police and fire and other governmental positions. Those people do it for all of us and I salute them.
Easy one
What public figure do you disagree with the most? – I can’t wait to see the answers to this question from the daily writing prompt.
I’d have to say I disagree with Donny 2 Dolls the most. The man is a con, cheat, liar, greedy narcissist who is devoid of character, values, empathy and love for anything other than himself, money and power.
And when he was the same thing as a real estate developer it didn’t affect me. Him being in charge does and I don’t like what I see and feel happening.
Last career
What is your career plan? – Not a bad question for me at this stage of life by the daily writing prompt.
I never thought about asking myself that question (What is your career plan) after I retired. Not that I don’t keep very busy with things, it’s just that I never thought about my activities at this stage (retirement) as a career.
I’m not even sure I want another career after 50 years in newspapers. I hope my days of working for another boss are over.
I guess my retirement plan was sort of a career plan unintentionally. Though I doubt I’ll reach a professional status at any of them, but who knows unless you try.
I’m attempting to be a photographer, writer and artist in the later stages of my life. I have a lot of grand plans. Some of them are coming along. Some others I’ve been slow to start at, but a little progress is better than none.
Right now, I have a temporary career as an active grandfather to 3 young children. Of course, that time is short because we all know children grow up quickly and will be off with friends and their own careers before I blink my eyes.
Life Tip – When I was working, I thought this type of question was one of the most important ones I could ask as a manager or get as an employee from my manager. I used to ask it like this. What do you want to accomplish this coming year towards your career goal, and what would you like to be doing the following year. What do you see yourself doing in 5 years and where? I would also add that if there career goal had nothing to do with the job they were in that wasn’t an issue.
If I could get them talking, I’d let them go even further. It allowed me as a manager to know what opportunities they were looking for and if I could assist in that, I would.
I also always found those that asked me about my future interest, desires and goals were the best managers.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Performance
What was the last live performance you saw? – Cool question from the daily writing prompt.
Besides the shows the grandchildren put on, I believe that the last live show was last year at Pier 6 in Baltimore for the band Little Feat. They were popular in the 70s when we were growing up but still added a few hits in the 80s.
I loved going to concerts. Some of my fondest memories of my youth. I still believe I grew up in a very blessed generation musically in the 60s and 70s. At least most of the music has stood the test of time.
Going to a concert today is like night and day to the shows we used to attend. But I still enjoy a live performance.
Which reminds me I haven’t got tickets for any shows this summer.
A bit
What do you do to be involved in the community? – Something we all should ask ourselves from time to time and a good reminder from the daily writing prompt, for me to do more.
In recent times I guess I haven’t contributed much. Not that we don’t do the day-to-day things. Watching a neighbor’s home if they are away or letting them use our yard when they have all the kids and grandkids over. Maybe shoveling a driveway or two in addition to mine or cutting someone else’s yard who’s laid up.
- When my kids were growing up I got involved in coaching and helping teams and leagues.
- I worked for the community newspapers for a few decades. I loved working at the local county fair.
- We make charitable donations to local organizations.
- Our community isn’t big on get togethers but when there is one, we usually attend.
- I try to support local businesses.
- I vote, therefore I have jury duty. Just got the summons yesterday.
- I take a lot of pictures of my community and share them.
I’m involved in the local car community. I certainly try to be a part of this blogging community.
I probably should do more for my community. I did want to volunteer more but my family keeps me really busy right now. I’m going to put some time in a local animal rescue place. At least that is on my list.
Job for a day
What’s a job you would like to do for just one day? – An interesting thought from the daily writing prompt. It’s kind of funny I get up thinking that each day now.
Working for anyone, for even a day now isn’t a desire I have, but if I were I’d want it to be a fun one.
I have no idea if I have any musical talent, but I think being a Musician for a day would be a lot of fun.
Park Ranger sounds like a good gig because I like being outside in nature. Long as I can pick a nice weather day.
My better half might not be crazy about this one, but Race Car Driver sounds like something I could put my feet into.
Food Critic is something I could sink my teeth into for a day.
Ice cream shop is my idea of a job where people come in and leave with a smile. I did have a job in a ice cream factory when I was a young boy. The half gallon line. Right next to the fudgesicle and cream sickle lines.
Branded
What are your favorite brands and why? – I see the daily writing prompt is getting into market research. Well let’s have some fun.
Coca Cola “Coke or Cherry Coke – I love the taste of them. I just opened one. Never drank coffee.
Chevy – I love the design of the Camaro and Corvette. The performance isn’t bad either.
Frosted Flakes – why not, you only live once.
Maytag – the old ones lasted forever. I’m seeing how the new one’s fair now.
Dumser’s and Bruster’s Ice Cream – Because I’m addicted to REAL good ice cream.
John Deere – One reliable tractor.
Jiff – because everyone likes a good peanut butter sandwich once in a while.
Mazda – used to be a great buy because they were less expensive and very reliable. I love the Miata I own now. It’s a ton of fun. Zoom Zoom
Snickers, Butterfingers, Nestles Crunch – We all have our weaknesses.
In my professional days the IBM Servers and UNIX/AIX OS were my favorites.
Lays Chips – I’m good at resisting most chips but I can’t with these.
Canon printers – so far, a great experience with the Pro-100
Smithfield Bacon – Because it’s bacon – duhh. I have developed a taste for Oscar Meyer lately.
Nikon cameras – great glass, wish I could afford the higher end stuff.
Dole Pineapples – Rumor has it they are good for Pina Coladas.
Harley Davidson – The most beautiful motorcycle in the world. Wish I had owned one.
Ace Hardware – Good Service
Important people
List the people you admire and look to for advice… – A deep question from the daily writing prompt for a Sunday morning.
I admired my mom, her advice and examples have helped me through life. I have my lifetime partner and better half to make up that missing part and thankfully much more. I’ve been seeking my wife’s advice for many decades now, and she certainly has my admiration. I even get the bonus of getting advice when I wasn’t really looking for it.
I admire close friends and look to them for advice from time to time.
The list of professionals I admire and took advice from is huge, and I’m a lucky man to have worked so closely with so many talented people. In most cases these same people had very good views of life also and have remained close friend’s decades after working together ended.
I admire my father and his service. I didn’t get a chance to get much advice from him. Though from time to time in my life I think some things have come through.
Yes I do
Do you vote in political elections? – I remember a similar question last year from the daily writing prompt.
Of course I vote in elections. Every time in fact. Primaries included. Other than that it’s too early in the day to get riled up about politics. Plus, it’s a Saturday and there is much to do.
I will say, be smart with your vote. Read as much as you can about the people you’re voting for. Look for someone you would trust. Because they will be setting the future for your children and grandchildren.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Photo by Mike Hartley
Directions
What gives you direction in life? – This answer to the daily writing prompt could take a book but I’ll limit the response.
I could say the Navigation system in my car but I rarely if ever have used it.
It must be some kind of deep-down gut feeling that helps me set my direction. They always seem like the ones to be making decisions on directions. Do I go after that new position at work? Do I ask her to marry me? Should we have a family? What car do we buy. Do we move?
I can think of a lot of different ways to answer that question. One could be my eyes. I have to see where I want to go. I have to see an opportunity to alter my path.
Some days when I have time to take a joy ride, the car provides the direction. It usually takes the twisty roads.
But the truth is many things. As if I thought one boss to give me direction might not be enough, I started a family. And they started families. Now I have lots of bosses. My 6-year-old granddaughter just told me a few weeks ago that this was her house. I must have missed the signing ceremony.
Family has always provided me with a healthy direction.
Friends have provided many other directions. Some crazy and fun ones indeed.
My professional life in newspapers gave me direction and taught me many important lessons along the way not just about work, but life.
Having made it to retirement, I find myself, for a change of pace, setting the direction. The arts give me direction now. I love trying to create.
Loving my own children was a great experience. Loving my grandchildren now is like this bonus gift that can direct lots of my activities. But they will grow fast as my own did and again I’ll be left with more time to redirect.
Life can be a lot like being at sea. You’re always adjusting your course every minute.
Quotes
Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often? – I like this question from the daily writing prompt.
I have hundreds of favorite quotes that I live by and reflect on from time to time. The first one hangs above my desk always reminding me to be the second type of person.
There are two types of people – those that come into a room and say, “Here I am” and those that come in and say “Ah, there you are.” – Frederick L Collins
“Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.”-Peter Hagerty
“Sometimes you got to specifically go out of your way to get into trouble. It’s called fun.” – Robin Williams
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. – Pablo Picasso
All of them
What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite? – A decent question from the daily writing prompt.
So many answers leapt to mind. The first thought was all of them. And my reason for that answer is that for many years I worked a lot of holidays. Some years, just about all of them. Having recently retired I have had a year to experience all of them in a different way, and they are great.
Working not only had a negative impact on me, but my family I feel. But that is behind me, and I’m celebrating with joy on just about every holiday that rolls around.
I guess my favorite holidays have always been Memorial Day and Independence Day. One is the unofficial kickoff to summer and the other is a mid-season blast. Usually, it means family and friend cookouts and maybe some crabs and other seafood on the 4th.
For many years our family vacationed together at the beach on the 4th of July holiday and that was fun seeing those fireworks and the kid’s excitement.
These two dates are difficult at the same time, because both my parents passed very near to those holidays. Which reminds me I’m overdue a visit to them. I’ll have to venture down to Arlington this May.
Have a great day.
Camp Comfort
Have you ever been camping? – Ah, the daily writing prompt moves to the outdoor world with this question.
I haven’t been camping since my youth. Not that I don’t go out at night and lay under the stars in my hammock from time to time in the summer.
Cub Scouts. Sleeping on a beach. Neighborhood sleepovers. Just a few things I remember from a very young age.
If I were to think of going camping my thoughts move to one of those luxury RVs.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Productive
When do you feel most productive? – A softball question from the daily writing prompt.
- In the mornings and late at night.
- When I’m happy.
- When I’m organized.
- When I’m motivated.
Real ones
What are your favorite emojis? – A question from the daily writing prompt I’m going to twist.
I’m not an emoji user so I’ll share this thought. I’m into real emotions.
I like to laugh and smile. Hearing someone laugh at something I’ve said is infinitely better than a laugh emoji.
I’d like to consider myself a caring individual. That isn’t done through emojis.
Love emotions are a feeling, looks, touch, and spoken words.
I often think of the words Jim Valvano.
“Number one is laugh. Number two is think — spend some time, time in thought. Number three, you should have your emotions move you to tears. If you laugh, think and cry, that’s a heck of a day.“
And by emotions he meant things that were positive for the most part. New life, achievements and milestones. Professional accomplishments and most importantly LOVE.
talk about it
What topics do you like to discuss? – Keep on probing daily writing prompt.
That has changed a good bit in the last couple years, having retired recently.
A quick list my discussion topics in no petiolar order.
- Sports, cars, music,
- Arts – photography, writing,
- The human condition – observing, interacting, laughter, love, emotions, family and friends and now that I’m older, health.
- Nature, environment, weather
- Travel
- History
My focus on technology in my professional years is still there but much, much less of a focus of discussions.
Oh, my apologies for those not so silent burst of profanity. That is just me talking to pain. I try to keep those private but sometime they get out in public.
Have a great day.
Start your engines
When is the last time you took a risk? How did it work out? – More risk questions from the daily writing prompt.
Let’s see, the last risk I took was yesterday when I spent 2 hours on the Baltimore Beltway with thousands of others and of course more than a few idiots who mistakenly thought they were more important than anyone else.
As usual the carnage of that attitude displayed in the many accidents passed on the way home. Sometimes simple mistakes. More often IDIOTS.
I survived, as most did by timing or sheer luck.
I did see a nice move by a trucker that finally got tired of being cut off.
Risk without regret
Describe a risk you took that you do not regret. – The daily writing prompt wants to get into the risk/reward area of life.
I rode a motorcycle for a number of years in my life. It was a great time, and I had a ton of fun on the bikes. Taking pleasure rides often and commuting to work on a nice day. I’d still be riding today but it’s just too dangerous on the overcrowded highways in this area now.
First the risk seems minimal. But that quickly changed with the close calls that checkered rides. I never went down on the bike but that doesn’t mean many didn’t try to put me on the ground.
Size matters on the highway, size is everything. I’ve learned that from driving motorcycles and a small convertible. People will tailgate you, run you off the road, cut you off and pretend not to see you.
I always wore a helmet, even when there wasn’t a helmet law in our state. But those things don’t help much. People either don’t see you or don’t care. I’ve had people look right at me and then merge on top of me. Lots of people don’t think you deserve an entire lane.
I once stopped at a light for a right turn. Oncoming traffic prevented me from turning when I noticed a car coming way too fast from the back. As soon as I heard his tires start to skid trying to stop I knew he wasn’t going to be able to. I quickly turned onto the small shoulder because cars were still coming. He slid right through the spot I was in and into oncoming traffic barely avoiding hitting someone else.
Just one of many incidents I’ve had out on a bike. I stopped riding years ago. I thought about another bike about a decade ago, but I also knew my reactions weren’t as good as when I was younger. Plus seeing the number of people killed on bikes was starting to register with me.
I’m a firm believer that LOUD pipes save lives. They might not see you, but they sure can hear you. Those were stock pipes and they were loud enough. Plus, I liked the look of one on each side from the V-Twin.
Jeez, just writing about it has me thinking about throwing my leg over the saddle again. Point it east, till I hit the ocean. My right wrist still has a nasty twitch in it.
Hindsight
Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently? – A difficult question from the daily writing prompt.
I was on the tail end of my work career when Jeff Bezos purchased The Washington Post. I had worked in the newspaper industry for just about 4 decades at that point. We were leaving the home I had for years on 15th street in DC.
The company was also going through a huge shift in people also, and many of the old timers like me were either leaving on their own accord or by other means. I actually think they thought I would leave also after they decentralized my UNIX Admin group.
I was moved to lead another group at nights again, but it was different work than I had enjoyed in the past. I should have left then but the lure of working at a newspaper I admired at the time and a new challenge was interesting.
The first year wasn’t bad, but that changed quickly and the last 9 years were difficult at best. And boy was I wrong about those things that kept me there. I should have moved to a government gig and got the medical benefits after retirement but I didn’t.
Thankfully all that nonsense is behind me and I’m retired. I did enjoy most of my time at the Post. I saw the other day it was Don Grahams birthday. I started there when his mother Katherine Graham was running it. Those were special days. And I consider both of them Special People.
Opinion – I think Jeff Bezos missed one of the great opportunities in history. He has a platform to stand up to that crap that is going on in our country now, and he chose to buckle under in the name of greed and kiss the orange ones behind.
Nerves
What makes you nervous? – An interesting ask from the daily writing prompt.
I’m not the nervous type normally, but there are a few things.
- Really high winds. We have a lot of large trees around the home.
- Flying
- Really rough water in a boat.
- The idiot in the White House and his cast of clowns destroying this country makes me nervous, for my children and grandchildren.
- When pets I love are sick. Like this baby below.
Unwind
How do you unwind after a demanding day? – Interesting question from the daily writing prompt today.
Funny thing, nothing popped into my head immediately. I guess I hit the computer for some knowledge or entertainment. Maybe sit a bit and watch some sports. Sometimes, I’ll exercise a bit.
When I was working and had a stressful day, I’d take the scenic route home. I remember laying in the hammock after some challenging days and just looking at the clouds rolling by or a plane overhead.
One thing that I just remembered, occasionally I’d stop by Rocky Gorge park and just stop and look at the water in the reservoir and nature around it.
Post it
How do you use social media? – An interesting question from the daily writing prompt.
Ah, maybe they should have asked how does social media use you? Just kidding but it’s a thought.
Anyway, I’m on a few things but I try not to overdue any of them. Blogging is my dominate social media activity along with my photo site on Zenfolio, that I’m always building out. I do a lot of reading online and blogs are a good percentage.
I have a Facebook account but I’m trying to spend less and less time there. And I only share with a couple of private groups there like my car club and the two companies where I worked for decades for alumni groups.
I’ve never had a Twitter, X or any of those type of social media apps. I have an Instagram account, but I believe I have one or two images there. Not something I’m pursuing now.
I have a LinkedIn account but being retired I use it far less.
I do get lost in YouTube videos from time to time. Comedy, educational, music, news. I’m going to try to make more videos myself in the coming years.
I enjoy watching sunrises and sunsets from the Ocean City Maryland webcams each day. There is a dozen or so to choose from and it’s a great way to start and complete a day.
Opinion – I’m older and grew up without all the phones and computers and games. And I think that was a very important part of my life because it gave me a balance when I became involved in technology for several decades as an adult.
I worry about the effects on young people. The emphasis and importance placed on it and those people interacted with is entirely out of proportion. It’s very addictive and easy to get lost in.
My real close friends and family rarely interact through social media. But we communicate often and directly through text, email, phone calls and direct meetings.
People measuring things through the number of Facebook friends, followers or likes are shorting themselves. Yes, you can build some wonderful contacts and sometimes develop some real friendships in social media. But you shouldn’t measure yourself that way.
Real life exists outside those devices.
I think our local school system just banned smartphones in school. I agree with this move.
First
Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind. – Interesting ask from the daily writing prompt.
Do I go to the local car show this morning, or cut the yard, was the first thought. There is no chance of rain, but the clouds are thick.
Option 1) I have 2 hours to wash my car, dry it off, shower myself, do 2 blog posts, charge the camera batteries, move the mower outside and drive to the car show this morning to work on my photography.
Option 2) But if it stays cloudy, I might ditch the show and cut and maintain the yard this morning. Then hopefully later it might clear up and warm up a bit. I could spend some time cruising with the top down and photograph a few other things on the list.
Decisions decisions.
A stranger
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you. – A good question from the daily writing prompt.
We recently met a man, slightly older, as we were standing along the inlet in Ocean City MD. My better half and I were just admiring the beauty as he was, and he spoke up about it. Also, about how to appreciate the time and take in life.
He then spoke about some health challenges he was battling and had faced. Some were exactly like mine. He was positive and relaxed. At peace with himself and the world it seems. He seemed to have a grasp on life and making the best of a tough situation. We had a wonderful conversation with a stranger for a good period of time.
Both my better half and I thought it was a very interesting meeting and conversation. We spoke about it afterword’s, that it was uplifting and eerie at the same time.
Decision
Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow. – Wish sometimes the daily writing prompt might narrow things down.
Wow, life is about decisions, and we make so many millions of them in our lifetime. So, what one should I pull out of the hat today. Hopefully most decisions, right or wrong, help us learn and grow. But some of us are hardheaded and need repeated lessons. Guilty as charged.
The decision where I said, “will you marry me, and I do.” And even though she may strongly argue my point, I’ve been learning and growing ever since. Learning love, responsibility, friendship, change, ambitions, hardships, loss, joy, parenting, caregiver and many more.
I’m still learning what not to say, do, suggest, share, wear and others. Who would have thought she would be such a persistent teacher after so many decades.
Visit – no thanks
What place in the world do you never want to visit? Why? – An interesting question from the daily writing prompt and a tough one because I’m not much of a world traveler yet.
Short Answer – Mount Everest – too difficult to get there and too cold.
Long Answer below
The list of places I have no desire to visit could be a long one, so I’ll spare you the endless bullet list. Mostly because they all have an element of risk that is too high. In some ways that might be unfair. Even traveling within the United States is risky. Yes, we have crime here, lots of it in some spots.
Traveling now as a US citizen out of the country, I’m guessing it’s getting less popular by the day. For the record many of us here abhor the policies and words being used by the administration in describing the rest of the world. And we don’t like seeing what is happening.
Leaving this country now might be a risky proposition for me. Given my disagreement with the current administration, they might not let me back in. Vive la Résistance
I’m sure even the places I don’t want to visit have some beauty about them. Be it the people, land, nature or sights/culture. So, every place could be a good place to visit.
For instance, I always had a negative view of Russia, but I had the pleasure of working with a young man who grew up there and he would point areas he traveled to and special things about them that put things in a new light. Still wouldn’t go there because of the government there but it does have natural beauty. And I know one former Russian who seemed to be a fine person.
Travel is in our future, but first a new grandchild will soon need our attention, so I’ll be staying put a while and reveling in holding a new infant in my hands when the day comes.
Time together
Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you. – I like it when the daily writing prompt wants something positive.
I’ll go with the most recent thing but it’s indicative of their actions. My children try their hardest to make time for me. Like yesterday when my daughter made time for lunch and a walk for just the two of us. My son also makes an effort often. It’s so rewarding.
Time is a wonderful gift. It leaves me with a positive feeling of being loved.
Reflections
What is your favorite restaurant? – Now there is a tough question from the daily writing prompt.
This would be a tough question if you asked me in which town. It would be a tough question if you did it based on a certain ethnic food. Ahh, I’m going nuts here thinking about it and I’m getting hungry.
Okay, I’ll settle down.
I went through a couple of recent favorites but then a smile crossed my face from a distant memory.
It’s one that is no longer there. But it has the best memories of both food, company and pleasure. It was at the shore in Ocean City, and it was called Reflections. There were several selections that you could have prepared tableside. But everything was good.
At first it was just my better half and myself. Yeah, we were young once. So many romantic dinners together before the children. It was so relaxing, so elegant and quiet. Maybe the best bowl of Cream of Crab soup ever.
It was the whole experience from being seated to finishing desert and having the check come with two wrapped mints. Never feeling rushed but well attended to.
Oh, I just remembered the bread, that isn’t fair. What a start, warm, a bit of honey brushed over top of this indescribable soft but flakey masterpiece of baking. Oh, another memory, the BBQ Bacon wrapped Shrimp appetizer. They must have cooked the bacon halfway and then wrapped the shrimp because when it came the bacon was perfectly cooked as well as the shrimp.
We went there every year, so we sampled every entry they had which were all wonderful from beef to seafood and more.
We liked the Banana’s Foster prepared tableside or the Smith Island cake for deserts but there were so many wonderful treats besides those.
The staff was incredible. It made every meal there one to remember, especially when it was just 2 of us when we were young and then with the children when they were growing up on family vacations to the ocean.
I have to say the kids made it special also because they were on their best behavior there to my recollection which made it great also.
Sometimes we would take a walk on the beach after the meal. What great memories of those meals and times there.
In 10
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? – A question I used to ask a lot of people as professionals. So, the daily writing prompt waits till I’m old and retired to ask me what I’m doing in 10 years.
I’ll be really happy to be waking up 10 years from now. I’ll be elated so much I might just mark down this date to jump out of bed. Boy, I hope I’m lucky enough to live that much longer. Something to think about young people. This crap ain’t infinite.
I see myself still engrossed in my hobbies. In 10 years the grandchildren will be old enough to mow the lawn for me but it my own kids are any indication I guess I shouldn’t be counting on that help. So maybe I’ll be cutting the lawn, (hopefully on a new tractor).
I’m certainly still going to be driving that Miata that is in the driveway now. It might need a paint refresh and a new convertible top by then but those are replaceable. Hopefully I’ll be taking it to the beach in the summer.
We will still be in the home we have been in for decades. I will still be grilling out. And of course, hosting family and friend gatherings.
I’d like to think I’d have a nice gallery of work completed by that point. I’ll continue to build on for as long as I can.
I hope to be reflecting on more good times and laughs. And that my family and friends are well and with me.
The problem with this fine picture is our current leadership is trying to screw up plans that I worked very hard for during many decades. I want what’s mine in Social Security and Medicare and if we don’t get it there is going to be HELL TO PAY.
5 things
What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness? – A fun question from the daily writing prompt.
The 5 Material Thing that bring me happiness
- My cameras bring me happiness. Even if I’m doing nothing but charging their batteries and cleaning the lens or working on a better travel bag for them, they are fun. But when I get time to bring that viewfinder to my eye and hit that shutter release button, I’m happy.
- My Miata and that gearbox on a sunny day with the top down.
- My tennis shoes and shorts. All my professional life, I dressed pretty casually. Not business casual but casual. Yeah, if I had to go out to a conference or something I’d dress the role, but at the office it was my comfort that was a priority. I guess it came from working night shift people didn’t care what you wore, as long as you showed up. When I got moved to the day side some years, I just bought that style with me. It shook things up at one of my employers because nobody ever wore shorts to work during the day apparently. I’d been doing it at night for years and suddenly there was a problem. I asked to see the dress code and there wasn’t any. Win for the kid. I continued to wear shorts when it was hot out.
- My computers allow me to further express myself and are a great source of fun.
- My home brings me happiness. I love taking care of it, be it the yard or structure.
The 5 Real Things that bring me happiness
- Waking up each morning and catching a sunrise.
- Family & Friends- They bring me happiness each day, every day.
- Music – My world would be a much darker place without it.
- Food – Something a lot of us take for granted. I enjoy, appreciate and love each bite I take at every meal.
- Animals be they pets, or wildlife make me smile. I love living creatures. Well, most of them.
Learned
Describe something you learned in high school. – The daily writing prompt is asking me to go back into the memory banks for this one.
I learned so many things during those years. Not all of them in class.
I’ll start with an odd one. I learned how to type on a typewriter. Yep, back then (early 70s) a room full of clacking typewriters. When taking this class (on the suggestion of my mom) I couldn’t imagine how big a part of my life it would be. For it’s the start of my IT career.
I didn’t use it immediately after high school but a few years later when early PCs were being introduced it was easy to remember those skills and they took off.
Actually, that was the first time I got suspended in high school. Somehow in the first semester I got the hang of it well, so I started to skip a class here and there. Got a B in the first quarter. As my twisted logic worked back then I thought I had some wiggle room, so I skipped a few classes. I was cruising along doing well on tests the second semester but got suspended for a few days, when I got caught missing too many classes.
Over the years I got pretty good at typing and I’m sure I hit triple digits in speed. But my fingers have aged and injured over the years and I’m back into double digit speed.
I also learned I like taking photos. I got on the yearbook staff and took some pictures that year. Luckily, I kept that passion and have returned to photography after retiring.
Change
Describe one positive change you have made in your life. – A softball question from the daily writing prompt.
At a young age I was developing a serious drinking problem. For close to a decade, I was a heavy drinker. My better half helped me get a grip on it and I’ve been fine since. I didn’t have a drop for about 2 decades after that.
I might have a shot with the boys once in a great while. Or a frozen cocktail while on vacation at the beach but nothing else. Drinking was almost like a competition sport with our group. And I was pretty good at leading the pack.
Booze and I are not a good combination. I’m not a mean drunk, quite the happy one in fact, but it would take over my life. For it almost cost me the most wonderful woman in the world. And I’m not taking that chance again.
