When I first started this blog a few years ago, it was simply to relay stories of my past; specifically, things I found humorous. Sometimes, stories I heard people tell, or things I heard on television prompted chuckles from deep down, or perhaps a tearful memory would crop up. Regardless of the emotion that was beckoned, I would say to myself, "That reminds me of a time when I..." and the trip down memory lane would begin.
From those memories this blog was born. I had no more than a few readers at first, some topics not garnering more than fifteen or twenty "hits." None of that mattered to me because I was only interested in cataloging those stories for family and friends. In fact, if one or two people "liked" one of my blogs, I would smile. Those likes encouraged me to write more!
Next, I turned my writing to politics, a topic I realize turns a lot of people off. Since there were only a few readers gravitating toward my blog, I wasn't too concerned about upsetting anyone. I mean nothing from nothing is still nothing, right? :)
But something strange happened along the way--more and more people began reading some of the meaningless ramblings of a man who just enjoyed the craft of writing. I was astounded when people began sharing my blog with friends that I was not connected with on social media. Soon enough my little counter topped one thousand readings. "Wow," I thought, "there are people who really read this stuff?"
In short order, a small but loyal following linked their Google+ accounts to mine, and many people subscribed to my blog. The only investment a person had to make was a minute or two of their time to read it, so it was easy I suppose. After all, that is why I invest my time with other people's blogs. The only commitment I have to make is giving myself over to their writing for a few minutes, so why not?
The point of this entry isn't necessarily to take another trip down memory lane. On the contrary, I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every person who reads this blog. Recently, we topped 35,000 views and I was once again amazed at its reach. Many people in the U.S., Canada, various countries in South America, throughout Europe, Russia, Japan, The Philippines, Australia, and several others take the time to read my meandering thoughts and musings. Talk about a loving feeling I have for humanity!
In closing, I want to thank you again for reading, debating, commenting, disagreeing, agreeing, enjoying, or hating the things I write. Your feedback is invaluable, and you make this all worthwhile.
Peace and love to all y'all!
Monday, September 11, 2017
Friday, September 8, 2017
The Indelible American Spirit
Sometimes I fear America has lost its way. Hearing and watching people decry our way of life, specifically, those blessed and fortunate enough to live here, bothers me to my core. Without a doubt, I follow politics, have my own opinions on various political topics, and, if you follow me on social media you know already that I have zero problem sharing my take on things.
When I watch the news and see idiots out protesting various events, or watch as people take positions on topics that do not align with American values or our way of life, I feel my ire rising like steam off an Alabama highway after a good rain in July. Like many others, I struggle to bite my tongue when I see people tearing at the very fabric of society and questioning our laws. Want to change things, do it the right way via legislation!
Then something like Hurricane Harvey occurs and we witness people helping people regardless of race or social station. We've seen neighbors pulling neighbors out of raging and dangerous waters, flotillas of private boats arriving in droves to help, and an outpouring of money, food, water, and clothes to help our fellow Americans.
In order to preserve our way of life, we must embrace this resilience and dependence on self and neighbor, rather than on government or elected officials. The backbone of our nation was built on hard work, drive, and a never-say-die attitude. If the rest of the world has decided they do not like us, that is fine. We love one another and will have each other's back in good times and bad.
As we watch with great fear the next natural catastrophe close in on us, let us remember to hold the people of this country in our hearts and prayers. After the storm has passed, let us rush to aid our fellow Americans get back on their feet.
Forget the fringe drivel; none of that stuff is relevant, and I know we are the greatest country on the planet because of our willingness to help one another without question. We are rich because we have one another. We prosper because we care. We love because that is what we are called to do.
When I watch the news and see idiots out protesting various events, or watch as people take positions on topics that do not align with American values or our way of life, I feel my ire rising like steam off an Alabama highway after a good rain in July. Like many others, I struggle to bite my tongue when I see people tearing at the very fabric of society and questioning our laws. Want to change things, do it the right way via legislation!
Then something like Hurricane Harvey occurs and we witness people helping people regardless of race or social station. We've seen neighbors pulling neighbors out of raging and dangerous waters, flotillas of private boats arriving in droves to help, and an outpouring of money, food, water, and clothes to help our fellow Americans.
In order to preserve our way of life, we must embrace this resilience and dependence on self and neighbor, rather than on government or elected officials. The backbone of our nation was built on hard work, drive, and a never-say-die attitude. If the rest of the world has decided they do not like us, that is fine. We love one another and will have each other's back in good times and bad.
As we watch with great fear the next natural catastrophe close in on us, let us remember to hold the people of this country in our hearts and prayers. After the storm has passed, let us rush to aid our fellow Americans get back on their feet.
Forget the fringe drivel; none of that stuff is relevant, and I know we are the greatest country on the planet because of our willingness to help one another without question. We are rich because we have one another. We prosper because we care. We love because that is what we are called to do.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Friday, August 18, 2017
I'm Tired of It
I am going to channel my inner Andy Rooney for a minute (if you're too young to remember Andy, just go to youtube and search his name: you can thank me later) and attempt to offer up a no-nonsense op-ed, sans emotion and conjecture. I realize that is out of the ordinary for me, but don't call 9-1-1 just yet--I am certain I'll be back to my old self before you can say neo-Nazi.
I used to fall victim to the "here comes the next Civil War" rhetoric espoused by anyone not paying attention to the nation as a whole. The media has always attempted to drive a wedge between Americans--for different reasons, and some that are more speculation than hardened fact--mostly because derision and division drive ratings, and with ratings come corporate sponsorships, and with sponsorships come a flood of money. You guessed it, a river of dead presidents making a news corporation rich while the rest of us agonize and wallow in our own uneducated emotional fragilities.
It is pretty safe to say that less one percent of the population identifies, on any scale, with a particular hate group. By "identify" I mean, they are card carrying members of the KKK, some neo-Nazi skinhead group, BLM, antifa, etc. Most likely, there are a higher percentage of sympathizers (my estimates link between three and five percent of our population) who support these groups. If that is true, why do we allow ourselves to engage in the ridiculousness that seems to consume our social media accounts?
Sure, I'm a political junkie with opinions as strong as the next person, but my opinion(s) is/are mine, not someone else's. I have zero issue engaging someone in debate, and at least try to keep it civil. Yes, yes, I've lost my cool on several occasions, but I TRY my best to keep emotion out of it and stick to the facts as I know and understand them. My approach is often seen as confrontational or condescending; and perhaps this is sometimes true. More often, I believe, the person with the opposing point of view is emotionally charged and elects to either a.) resort to making the issue personal, or b.) slamming the proverbial victim card on the table because they feel as though I've said something offensive.
Back to the intent of this post--every day I trudge into work and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with black, white, Asian, and Hispanic co-workers. We laugh and carry on, protected from the outside world by the walls surrounding us, working together with common goals and interests. No one worries about a Klan rally, a Black Panther Party, or an MS13 gang shooting. We just work and try to make thins as fun as possible. Sure, we have disagreements about how to get things done, and we make fun of each other for the stupid things we say or do, but we are like a big family.
If that is the case for approximately five hundred people in a single location, I suspect the rest of us work and get along with those different (in many ways) than us on a regular basis. Why get worked up over a media intent on driving ratings by driving a wedge between us? Two days ago, we were talking about monuments, today we're back to Muslims killing people in Europe. Where did the outrage go? I'll tell you where it went--to the next story!
Y'all have a lovely weekend and enjoy yourselves. If you feel yourself offended by anything I've written here, then I appreciate you allowing me to live in your head rent free. :)
I used to fall victim to the "here comes the next Civil War" rhetoric espoused by anyone not paying attention to the nation as a whole. The media has always attempted to drive a wedge between Americans--for different reasons, and some that are more speculation than hardened fact--mostly because derision and division drive ratings, and with ratings come corporate sponsorships, and with sponsorships come a flood of money. You guessed it, a river of dead presidents making a news corporation rich while the rest of us agonize and wallow in our own uneducated emotional fragilities.
It is pretty safe to say that less one percent of the population identifies, on any scale, with a particular hate group. By "identify" I mean, they are card carrying members of the KKK, some neo-Nazi skinhead group, BLM, antifa, etc. Most likely, there are a higher percentage of sympathizers (my estimates link between three and five percent of our population) who support these groups. If that is true, why do we allow ourselves to engage in the ridiculousness that seems to consume our social media accounts?
Sure, I'm a political junkie with opinions as strong as the next person, but my opinion(s) is/are mine, not someone else's. I have zero issue engaging someone in debate, and at least try to keep it civil. Yes, yes, I've lost my cool on several occasions, but I TRY my best to keep emotion out of it and stick to the facts as I know and understand them. My approach is often seen as confrontational or condescending; and perhaps this is sometimes true. More often, I believe, the person with the opposing point of view is emotionally charged and elects to either a.) resort to making the issue personal, or b.) slamming the proverbial victim card on the table because they feel as though I've said something offensive.
Back to the intent of this post--every day I trudge into work and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with black, white, Asian, and Hispanic co-workers. We laugh and carry on, protected from the outside world by the walls surrounding us, working together with common goals and interests. No one worries about a Klan rally, a Black Panther Party, or an MS13 gang shooting. We just work and try to make thins as fun as possible. Sure, we have disagreements about how to get things done, and we make fun of each other for the stupid things we say or do, but we are like a big family.
If that is the case for approximately five hundred people in a single location, I suspect the rest of us work and get along with those different (in many ways) than us on a regular basis. Why get worked up over a media intent on driving ratings by driving a wedge between us? Two days ago, we were talking about monuments, today we're back to Muslims killing people in Europe. Where did the outrage go? I'll tell you where it went--to the next story!
Y'all have a lovely weekend and enjoy yourselves. If you feel yourself offended by anything I've written here, then I appreciate you allowing me to live in your head rent free. :)
Monday, August 7, 2017
Conversations That Matter
Sometimes, poignant conversations can and will transpire in the strangest of places, the weirdest of times, and with people with whom you have never conversed. Talks or discussions that resonate with us are also the ones that find a place in our memories, carving out a small niche in our mind where they dwell until we call upon them again. These are the talks that serve us well, that help us relay those life lessons to others, and are the things that make us human.
Recently, I purchased lumber at Home Depot, a rather innocuous event that I have completed without issue dozens, maybe hundreds of times. In my free time, I have been building a small shed in our backyard that will house my lawn and gardening tools. It is nothing massive, but it has been my little project that I am pretty proud of, and one that allows me to hone some basic carpentry skills.
I pulled my old pickup truck to lumber loading area then hopped out and grabbed my cart holding a couple of large pieces of press board and siding for my shed. The usual helpful workers clambering around the store were not to be found as I began transferring my small stockpile into the bed of the F-150. An older black gentleman stopped and asked if I needed any help.
"No sir, but I do appreciate you asking," I responded.
"You sure you're strong enough to pick that stuff up by yourself?" he asked.
I laughed. "I reckon I can manage, but thanks again."
I picked up the first 4 x 8 piece of press board and watched it slip out of my hands as I turned to put it into the bed of my truck.
"Alright, son, now I'll help ya'," the man told me.
I laughed again. "Well, thank you."
As we loaded the material he noticed another gentleman smoking a cigarette.
"You know, I stopped smoking in 1970," he explained.
"Oh yeah?" I asked.
"Yep. I regret I ever started smoking. Picked up another bad habit too," he said.
"What's that?" I asked as I slid another board off the cart.
"Chasing women," he said matter-of-factly. "I got married when I was sixteen years old and my wife was fourteen. Been married fifty-seven years now. I used to go out on weekends acting the fool, but my wife finally told me she didn't care. Said that was less for her to have to deal with when I was out on the weekends. After she told me that, I started staying home," he laughed.
I cackled. "Well, women certainly know how to put things in perspective, don't they?"
"They sure do, son. Do you have any regrets?" He asked me.
I stopped loading the truck and wiped a large bead of sweat that was making its way down the side of my face.
"I'm a grown man, sir, and I have a lifetime of regrets. I just try real hard to forgive myself and push forward," I responded.
He shook his head and laughed. "I know you're right."
Regrets, forgiveness, introspection, and good conversation make for real life.
As a wise person once said, "Live, laugh, and love."
Y'all be well.
Recently, I purchased lumber at Home Depot, a rather innocuous event that I have completed without issue dozens, maybe hundreds of times. In my free time, I have been building a small shed in our backyard that will house my lawn and gardening tools. It is nothing massive, but it has been my little project that I am pretty proud of, and one that allows me to hone some basic carpentry skills.
I pulled my old pickup truck to lumber loading area then hopped out and grabbed my cart holding a couple of large pieces of press board and siding for my shed. The usual helpful workers clambering around the store were not to be found as I began transferring my small stockpile into the bed of the F-150. An older black gentleman stopped and asked if I needed any help.
"No sir, but I do appreciate you asking," I responded.
"You sure you're strong enough to pick that stuff up by yourself?" he asked.
I laughed. "I reckon I can manage, but thanks again."
I picked up the first 4 x 8 piece of press board and watched it slip out of my hands as I turned to put it into the bed of my truck.
"Alright, son, now I'll help ya'," the man told me.
I laughed again. "Well, thank you."
As we loaded the material he noticed another gentleman smoking a cigarette.
"You know, I stopped smoking in 1970," he explained.
"Oh yeah?" I asked.
"Yep. I regret I ever started smoking. Picked up another bad habit too," he said.
"What's that?" I asked as I slid another board off the cart.
"Chasing women," he said matter-of-factly. "I got married when I was sixteen years old and my wife was fourteen. Been married fifty-seven years now. I used to go out on weekends acting the fool, but my wife finally told me she didn't care. Said that was less for her to have to deal with when I was out on the weekends. After she told me that, I started staying home," he laughed.
I cackled. "Well, women certainly know how to put things in perspective, don't they?"
"They sure do, son. Do you have any regrets?" He asked me.
I stopped loading the truck and wiped a large bead of sweat that was making its way down the side of my face.
"I'm a grown man, sir, and I have a lifetime of regrets. I just try real hard to forgive myself and push forward," I responded.
He shook his head and laughed. "I know you're right."
Regrets, forgiveness, introspection, and good conversation make for real life.
As a wise person once said, "Live, laugh, and love."
Y'all be well.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Earn Your Own Way! (Political Rant...You've Been Warned)
I just received a robot call from an outfit called United Breastcare Foundation asking for a donation. Now, I am a guy and am united in saving all the breasts. Breasts are great and should be preserved for as long as possible. In fact, what man (MAN) in his right mind would not want to help save the beautiful women sporting those life-giving mammary glands that we enjoy staring at while hanging out on a beach, pool, work, while driving, standing, sleeping, watching television...yeah, you get the picture.
All humor aside, one of the great things that has made America great (again/always) is our giving nature. We help those incapable of helping themselves, but pick ourselves up by our own bootstraps and frown upon asking for help unless in great need. We're 'Muricans, dammit and we take care of our own.
With that said, it is important that we understand what capitalism means. From dictionary.com--
noun
All humor aside, one of the great things that has made America great (again/always) is our giving nature. We help those incapable of helping themselves, but pick ourselves up by our own bootstraps and frown upon asking for help unless in great need. We're 'Muricans, dammit and we take care of our own.
With that said, it is important that we understand what capitalism means. From dictionary.com--
noun
1. an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.
Interestingly, our own Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution of the United States in no way outline methods or laws that require anyone to pay for someone else. If that is true (and it is), why are so many hell bent on keeping in place ridiculous laws like the Affordable Care Act?
The reason is clear to those of us with a defined notion of self-preservation and a desire to maintain The Constitution; laws such as the ACA are the antithesis of capitalism and freedom. They handcuff Americans by making them dependent on government (you know, those folks we vote for in hopes of keeping us free, but whose actions are exactly the opposite). Supporters of this nonsense are perplexing and strange. They scream about "freedom" while supporting those who desire to control us!
Of course, the ACA is only symptomatic of a much larger problem for those who support it. Many of these same individuals want to sit at home watching television or backpacking around the countryside while the government supports their whimsical nature. My question to these individuals--where do you think the government gets the money to support your laziness?
I will leave this here for your to chew on, ponder, and consider. If you have used the ACA to your benefit then I am happy for you. But before you respond, perhaps you could offer your thanks to me and the millions of others that paid for your care. :)
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Father's Day--An Emotional Day
I am forty-eight years old this year and blessed with two gorgeous biological daughters, and three exemplary step-children. The greatest benefit of being a man is being a dad. Dads will nurture, embrace, and protect their offspring in a way that women won't or can't understand. Yes, mothers are protective, but dads are willing to put their lives on the line for everything that is their children and family. We are conditioned to be that strong person that our kids want to emulate, and this conditioning is right and should be without question.
Mother's Day is a day of earth, beginnings, life, and love. Father's Day is a day of sun, toughness, and light. It's a day to celebrate one half of life-giving and compassion. Father's Day is a gloriously quiet holiday celebrated by families everywhere via grilling, beer, and laughter.
I have (as of Sunday) spent twenty-five Father's Days without my dad, but never a day goes by that I don't smile when thinking of him or some silly thing he said. My Pops wasn't the best carpenter in the world, didn't know everything about politics that others may have understood, nor was he man without flaws. He was, above all else, a human being struggling to make his way through life like we all do.
One dream my Dad always shared with me was to own his own business. He grew weary of working for someone else and doing what others told him to do. Dad was a dreamer, an American, a patriot, and a veteran. He embodied everything about a poor man trying to lift himself out of poverty on his own and without the help of anyone else. Dad was proud and made sure that hard work and a "never say die" attitude was emblazoned in his son's minds.
This Father's Day is a melancholy one for me. It's one that makes me happy to be a Dad...to be one who not only aided in creating life, but in shaping and melding my kids into good, productive members of society. They are what my Dad wanted his boys to be.
So, pardon me if I shed a tear while I think about my Dad and wish he was here to talk to me and see what has become of his grandchildren. I have no doubt about how proud he would be or how often he would tell his friends about their accomplishments. My kids are products of his teachings, however short they were, and I look forward to sharing time and stories with him once again.
Mother's Day is a day of earth, beginnings, life, and love. Father's Day is a day of sun, toughness, and light. It's a day to celebrate one half of life-giving and compassion. Father's Day is a gloriously quiet holiday celebrated by families everywhere via grilling, beer, and laughter.
I have (as of Sunday) spent twenty-five Father's Days without my dad, but never a day goes by that I don't smile when thinking of him or some silly thing he said. My Pops wasn't the best carpenter in the world, didn't know everything about politics that others may have understood, nor was he man without flaws. He was, above all else, a human being struggling to make his way through life like we all do.
One dream my Dad always shared with me was to own his own business. He grew weary of working for someone else and doing what others told him to do. Dad was a dreamer, an American, a patriot, and a veteran. He embodied everything about a poor man trying to lift himself out of poverty on his own and without the help of anyone else. Dad was proud and made sure that hard work and a "never say die" attitude was emblazoned in his son's minds.
This Father's Day is a melancholy one for me. It's one that makes me happy to be a Dad...to be one who not only aided in creating life, but in shaping and melding my kids into good, productive members of society. They are what my Dad wanted his boys to be.
So, pardon me if I shed a tear while I think about my Dad and wish he was here to talk to me and see what has become of his grandchildren. I have no doubt about how proud he would be or how often he would tell his friends about their accomplishments. My kids are products of his teachings, however short they were, and I look forward to sharing time and stories with him once again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)