To Give Up or Not To Give Up...

You know, I've never seen myself as a quitter but then again, I must admit during my life's journey, I have 'given-up' on a few things:

 1). I've given up on the idea of being the next cowboy, i.e. Roy Rodgers or Gene Autry.
 2). I've given up on learning to ice skate.
 3). I've given up on pitching a no-hitter in the seventh game of the World Series.
 4). I've given up on winning the Mega Lottery.
 5). I've given up on a singing career.
 6). I've given up on the idea of living without a dog.
 7). I've given up on wishing to win any debate with my wife.
 8). I've given up on trying to understand how evangelicals can support Donald Trump
 9). I've given up on trying to use my time to good advantage.
10). I've given up on trying to not give up.

I shall never give up...
 1). 'trying to make the bread and gravy come out even.'
 2). Eating Peanut butter.
 3). Thinking the Cardinals will win another World Series.
 4). Singing aloud at anytime at any place.
 5). Embracing my 'faith.'
 6). Being a 'social' liberal.
 7). Hoping others make the connection between 'social' liberalism and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
 8). Competing (makes the juices flow)
 9). Looking for something needing improvement and considering if my desire & abilities could
      bring about that improvement.
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Given It Up

Random Thoughts

First Thought---

The last four mass murders went down in 2018...

February 14, Nikolas Cruz shot and killed 17 students and staff at Parkland high school (FL)
May 14, Dimitrois Pagourtiz killed 8- students and two teachers in Texas.
October 27, Jarrod Ramos killed 5-people at Capital Gazette Annapolis, Maryland.
November 7, Ian David Long killed 12-folks at a Music Bar in Thousand Oaks, California..

Total killed---44

These four guys had three common denominators; all were mentally deranged killers, all were members of the 'white' race and none of them entered the country illegally at the border between Mexico and America.

Second Thought---

Donald Trump on a few occasion's has likened his presidency to that of Abraham Lincoln's. I believe Trump will outdistance Lincoln in one category:
                                                     Lincoln had roughly 1600 books written about him.
                                                     Trump will most likely surpass that number.

Third Thought...

 Don't anticipate gun control laws being passed in America.
 Don't anticipate re-building and re-establishing mental hospitals in America.
 Consider investing in book stores.
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Write A Book About It

Prioritize My Dear Ones

Growing up in a blue-collar factory-working home, I never gave much thought to money. We always had food, clothes and some kind of auto. Just as important, I always had a baseball glove. I even remember being happy as an eight year old boy having those steel shoe-spikes that you had to nail onto the bottom of street shoes, which was my first so-called baseball spikes. It was sure special when I made that Little League team at age ten...got 'real' spike baseball shoes.

I never did think much about what other boys my age had or didn't have. I recall hearing adults in my family talk about other folks who tried 'keeping up with the Joneses.' Even though there was no Jones family in our neighborhood, I understood from the comments that we were suppose to be happy with what we had and not worry about what the neighbors had.

Many years teaching in secondary schools, I came to notice over time that the student parking lot had later model automobiles than did the faculty parking lot. You may have your own take on that fact but I suggest it speaks volumes about negative and entitlement parenting. I recall our girls' middle school years when they began to notice the 'designer' clothing worn by peers. After fighting the girls when shopping for new school clothes, my wife finally told our two daughters that she would give then the amount of cash she intended to spend on each child getting them ready for school. She told the girls to purchase whatever they wanted. Funny how those two youngsters got frugal with spending trying to stretch their money for more outfits.

In time a young girl becomes a young lady who trades her designer bag for a diaper bag. As for yours truly, I'll thank my Mammy Bennett for telling me a long time ago, "Don't worry catching up with those who have more than you but help out those who have less than you." Mammy was always good for 'laying' those Jesus teachings on your mind. Heavens, I remember one night leaving her presence as I was headed out for a date and Mammy said, "Now, you have a nice time this evening but remember that Jesus is returning a second time so don't be about any activity you'd be shameful of should He return tonight." ....let that sink in folks!

Stupid & Gullible...That's Americans

Okay, let's put aside our labels. For a few minutes, we will not see other as liberals, conservatives, Democrats or Republicans. Likewise, there are no good guys or bad guys; no Trump supporters and no Trump haters but just Americans. I know, I know, it's difficult but let's concentrate, we can do this!

Our nation just experienced its longest government (partial) shutdown. As that shutdown lingered day after day, many Americans directly affected began explaining the depths of their financial difficulties. Some of those difficulties underscored serious health perils, evictions and loss of possessions. Inevitably, some folks responded to those compromised financial woes caused by interrupted paychecks. Interestingly, many of those weighing in were political leaders, political pundits and those with great financial wherewithal.

First, let me share the following: Recent disclosures (2008), which  indicates 66-Millionaire Senators and 178-Millionaire Representatives in The House...that's. A total of 245-millionaires in Congress governing some 75-to-80% of Americans who LIVE PAYCHECK-to-PAYCHECK. Might you just think that those millionaire politicians are clueless regarding the day-to-day struggles of their countrymen? That's right: 75-to-80% in America who live paycheck to paycheck. Unless you were born into wealth YOU ALSO at sometime lived payday-to-payday as did your parents.

Then there was those political radio and television pundits giving advise to the President to keep the  government shutdown in an attempt to get money for a border-wall at the financial expense of 800,000 government workers plus hundreds of government contractors and at a 6-billion dollar cost  to the American economy. Here's a few of those pundits with their net worth: Ann Coulter (8.5 million), Sean Hannity (200-million) and Rush Limbaugh (590-million). Then there is the Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross (2.5 billion) who suggested those living from payday to payday should "Get a loan." What a clueless ass. President Trump (3.1 billion) said he thought Wilbur was misunderstood.

The late comedian, George Carlin understood when he said, "The ruling rich class of this country keeps the lower and middle classes fighting with one another over race, ethnic background, sexuality and social status while that upper class gets richer." We could add to Carlin's list our ongoing fussing about border walls, abortion and gun control. Like a bunch of dummies i.e. really stupid people, we take the bait and we will continue to take the bait.

Hooray for The State of Illinois, which recently elected its second-consecutive 'Billuonaire Governor.'

And how lucky can America be? The former CEO of the 'Coffee-Milkshake Company,' Howard Schultz (3.5 billion) is running for President in 2020. "Hey Mister, you gotta dime for a cup of coffee?"

Okay, thanks for playing along, now ready set GO! It's back to name-calling and bad-mouthing each other as we defend the wealthy, privileged and entitled who play us like a fiddle.
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Them That's Got

Warm & Rainy Memory

Recently, granddaughter, Loren asked some questions about my grandparents, E.V. And Mammy Bennett and Frank and Rosedelle Roustio. I was happy to share some of my recollections about my youth and the specific impact of my maternal and paternal grandparents.

I suppose Loren's inquiry lingered because a few days afterward, I thought of some special childhood memories.  One of those memories was created by 'rain.' That's right, a 'rainy day memory' as a young ten-year old boy.

The year was 1949. My parents, four year old brother, Tom and I lived on the corner of 55th & Hallows in East St. Louis, Illinois. The small comfortable home had a screened in sunporch adjacent to the kitchen. The neighborhood offered plenty of playmates. The home was within walking distance to a drugstore, grocery store and Woodrow Wilson Grade School. There was also a nearby drygoods store and like most neighborhoods back in the day, one could easily find a corner tavern.

I was into baseball and made my first Little League team (Jaycee League ages 10-13). Of course, I was one of the two youngest kids (10) who made that team. I played sparingly behind the older more skilled kids but I was hooked. I could always find a summer sandlot game at a nearby diamond. It was there that I began honing skills.

In the summer late afternoons, my mother began preparing family supper in anticipation of dad  coming home from his work at Monsanto Chemical Company. On a rainy day, I would locate on the screened-in sun room porch with my homemade 'spinner baseball-game' and a stack of baseball cards. Those baseball cards were most often the St. Louis Cardinals and the Brooklyn Dodgers. I can still recite those lineups this day: Brooklyn>  Reese (s) Hermanski (of) Snider (cf) Robinson (2b) Hodges (1b) Furillo (rf) Campanella (c) Cox (3b) Newcombe (p); Cardinals: Schoendienst (2b) Marion (s) Musial (cf) Slaughter (of) Northey (rf) Jones (1b) Kurowski (3b) Rice/Garagiola (c) Brecheen (p).

I can close my eyes this moment and hear the cadence of rain falling atop that porch and the voice of my mother singing along with the voices of Bing Crosby or Vaughn Monroe blaring through the small counter-top Admiral radio. It was the next best place for a 10-year old boy aside from that dusty diamond of dreams.

There's a song called the 'The Best Things In Life Are Free.' It mentions many little things we take for granted but fails to mention a summer's rainy day.
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Best Things In Life Are Free

'MAUA'

In 1811, American forces led by William Henry Harrison engage in a battle with Native Americans at the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers in Indiana. The Americans prevailed and Harrison was viewed as a hero. Eleven years later Harrison ran for President and his Vice Presidential running mate was John Tyler. The 1840, Presidential campaign slogan was "Tippecanoe & Tyler Too."

I have always found those Presidential Campaign Slogans somewhat interesting to examine. Certainly they are usually catchy and stick in the electorate's mind. Many campaign slogans hold 'tongue-in-check' messages which either demean the opposition party or give voters reason for hope that comes in voting for their ticket.

I offer the following Presidential Campaign Slogans as some of my favorites and suggest one for the 2020 Presidential Campaign.

1928- "A Chicken in Every Pot and A Car in Every Garage". (Herbert Hoover)
1940- "Better a Third Termer Than a Third Rater" (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
1948- "I'm Just Wild About Harry."  (Harry S. Truman)
1952- "I Like Ike" (Dwight D. Eisenhower)
1960- "A Time For Greatness" (John F. Kennedy)
1980- "Let's Make America Great Again" (Ronald Reagan)
2008- "Yes We Can" (Barack Obama)
2016- "Make America Great Again" (Donald Trump) i.e., borrowed from Ronnie Reagan

Given the current status of our American Democracy, I suggest the following slogan for 2020>
         "MAUA" >>> "Make America UNITED Again" **

** America is NOT the 'United' States.

A Rush to Choosing Sides?

You're a fool if you believe for a moment that you've never been guilty of 'rushing to judgment.' However you're even a bigger dope to show pre-judgment attitudes and beliefs afterward.

Likely you are aware of an incident which occurred this past weekend at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial when students from an all-boys' Catholic school (Covington, Kentucky), an American Indian (Nathan Phillips) celebrating the Indigenous People's March in D.C. and about four members of the Black Hebrew Israelites got into a verbal shouting match with gestures and stare downs.

The Black Hebrew Israelites group shouted vulgarities while one student stared at close range into Phillips' face as he engaged in a drum beating ritual and other students did tomahawk chopping actions with arms while singing choruses of stereotype Indian chants. The majority of students were wearing Make America Great Again ball caps.

Okay, here we have video, which lends itself to various interpretations. I get it and you should also.
Of course, we have the classic standoff, which has always been part of the American fabric, which is 'pre-judgment' of others if not down-right 'hatred' of other groups. White people and Brown people confronting one another. In this instance, it is flavored with the first American 'family' landowners', the Native American Indian. Perhaps the Indian peoples should have 'built a wall' in anticipation of those English Pilgrims' invasion.

Stop and think. We certainly have enough racial tension in America these days as seen in 'White  Nationalists ' activities, Black Lives Matter rhetoric, police shootings of blacks and immigration debates. What a wonderful moment, at the site of the iconic Lincoln Memorial, which speaks to 'race' and on the weekend celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.'s efforts for racial equality for a true leader to step forward attempting to heal ethnic/racial divides.

Okay, I have a question for you readers. Let's pretend that you are the President of the United States. Should you make any comment or offer anything in addressing this incident?

Would you select one of the following or opt for some other?
 1.  Ignore the incident and say nothing.
 2.  Condemn intolerance for free expression.
 3.  Make a decision regarding which group is of greater fault and condemn that group.
 4.  Offer an invitation to the groups to attend a gathering at the White House to discuss racial and
      ethnic tolerance. (Perhaps have such a meeting televised).
 5.  Pick 'one group' and invite them to the White House.

We understand that our President made his decision...I'm asking you to offer your thinking and decision.

Hands On & Hands In Fatherhood

Let me offer the following disclaimer. I have not researched this topic thoroughly but speak mostly from a 'hands-on' perspective. Okay, I understand that some kinds of throw-away baby-diapers can be traced back to16th century England. More currently some woman devised a toss-away 'poo-poo' catcher in the1940's and then Proctor & Gamble along with others commercialized the 'pamper diapers' in the early 1960's. Well, that's the decade Mel & Gerry Roustio had three babies. Perhaps our choice electing to use the traditional cloth diaper over disposable diapers indicates that we were once 'conservatives' rather than the hopeless liberals we are today..

We were cloth-diaper parents opting for that diaper bucket. We are survivors of that colorless ammonia-gas-smell caused by that pungent smell created by trapped baby pee. Back in those cloth diaper days, we would remove the baby's cloth diaper, shake out any poop into the toilet, flush the toilet and  then as fresh water entered the toilet bowel, we would shove the diaper down into the water and rise as much pee and poop soil from the cloth. After ringing out the cloth, we then used our foot to engage the bucket's pedal, which opened the lid allowing us to dropped the diaper into the bucket for later washing. The ammonia smell started a brief eye-watering episode.

In recent years, I've watched my children and some grandchildren change soiled baby pampers. They drop measurable poop into a toilet, wrap the throw-away diaper into a ball perhaps place in a plastic bag before tossing into the trash. Like all parents, especially the daddy's they make "pee-you" sounds. I think, REALLY?

Shrink & Sag are Part of Aging

My wife and I consider ourselves blessed over these many years with relatively good health. Of course, both of us are a bit depressed after each annual physical examination, which ultimately reveals that each of us are shrinking and sagging.

Fifty-eight years ago when we married, I was a strapping 6'3" stud, if you will and my bride was a shapely 5'1 1/2" petite girl. Our last medical measurements-report lists heights 6'2" and 5' respectively. We are both shrinking. Even shrinking to the extent that I should no longer make the  'stud' reference.  My wife tells me that bust shrinkage pleases her but the sag factor that goes with it does not make her happy.

I guess we should think positive; after all don't they say, "Good things come in small packages?" And we all have heard, "Little things mean a lot."

White House 'Finger Foods'

I have been chastised by family members on the occasion for using the term 'retarded.' Evidently, that term is politically incorrect except when a medical diagnosis is rendered by a professional from the study-discipline of mental disorders. The term 'retarded' is NOT to be thrown about by some ex-high school basketball coach who had only one out-of-bounds play that worked and that was predicated on having a player with a 41-inch vertical.

That said, I will not reference President Trump as a 'retard' in light of his socially insensitive and ill-advised 'hamburger-feed' for college football champs, Clemson University hosted in the White House. Please note: The word is 'hamburger' NOT hamberger. If this mental giant had any social awareness he would have delayed entertaining Clemson during this government shutdown, which he is proud to own. Of course, Trump thought hosting Clemson would present a good photo op for him...a moment when he could brag about buying 300 hamburgers for Champions while exaggerating the number of burgers to "thousands of hamburgers." The President could have a better photo op had he purchased hamburgers for those unpaid government workers and go to their work-place and toss those sandwiches, i.e. paper-towel-toss to Puerto Rico hurricane victims.

I assume we can now expect all future 'Heads-of-State' being entertained at the White House to chomp down on Burger King's, Big Mac's and Wendy's in the future...hey, what's good enough for America's National College Football Champs is good enough for Kim and Putin and folks from other countries...especially those "sh#th*le countries."

The guy is out-of-touch. A true 'social misfit-moron.'

Chicken Breasts Have No Nipples, Either!

Not long ago, I was in a fast food restaurant standing behind a young boy who ordered chicken nuggets. The lad was perhaps 12-years old. I wondered if he truly thought that 'nuggets' were a part of the chicken anatomy. American families don't  raise chickens anymore. If they did that boy would know that nuggets are 'scrap meat' from a chicken.

A few years back, I watched a documentary about 'bird flu' and saw a Southeast Asian country with chickens roaming free all around people's yards. Somebody in my company said, "Boy, you can sure tell that's a third world country." Shucks, I was thinking how much the scene reminded me of my 1940's Washington Park (East St. Louis) neighborhood when most folks had chicken coops. We raised chickens! Chickens called 'layers,' which produced eggs and chickens called 'fryers' for eating.

I hated that morning egg-collecting chore. Hens didn't particularly care for you taken their kids...this was certainly an oxymoron moment regarding a woman's choice v. anti-abortion. Talk about a conflict! Raising chickens was a education for a youngster. You soon learn that chickens are the nastiest domesticated animal. And...woe betide the weak chicken in a chicken-pen. Pigs are cleaner.

Remember now that back in the 1940's about 50% of Americans were in church Sunday mornings and most were at grandma's house for fried-chicken dinner afterward. That chicken didn't just show up on your plate of its own doing. Nope. Saturday afternoon was chicken butchering time. It was  interesting noting various chicken-decapitation choices of my family members. There was the 'ringer,' the 'footstep-puller' and the 'hatchet guy.' Personally, I never participated in that maneuver or the scalding-water-feather plucking job. I was worn out by that time trying to keep my dog away from retrieving one of those headless-birds flopping across the backyard.

I try not to think of those days when eating chicken-noodle soup and my favorite part of the chicken is NOT nuggets nor the nipple-less Breasts...I'm a 'leg man.'

Oh Well, Just a Thought or Two

I expected that someone would ask one day and they did, "Do you have a 'bucket list." My short answer was "No."

Upon deeper thought, I suppose there are some places I'd like to see, some people I'd like to meet and some stuff I'd like to do. That said, I'd guess those 'things' could be considered a 'bucket list,' yet I have had no such list...until now.

Here's some stuff I'd like to do...or stuff I'd like to 'see' happen in my lifetime...
 1). Research to discover who spends the most time on television, Steve Harvey or Wolf Blitzer..
 2). See the day when politicians are required to wear lie-detectors during political debates.
 3). See the day when Major League Pitchers' have a clock on them and hitting gloves disallowed.
 4). Have lunch with Rush Limbaugh, Dick Vitale, Donald Trump and Dr. Phil...then have an extensive one-on-one session with Dr. Phil afterward.
 5). Find an honest survey regarding various religions' doctrines regarding abortion and contraceptives and their followers' practice consistency in both beliefs.
 6). Eat a big piece of Pecan pie and not worry about next morning's blood sugar level.
 7). Prepare a basketball team for one more season.
 8). Jog again without causing back-issues.
 9). Walk with my wife once more in East St. Louis from 43rd street to Jones' Park Lagoon.
10). Eat Bar BQ pig snoots like the ones at Nichols Bar BQ (East St. Louis).

I knew this would happen! Better stop here...it seems I've gone off track from a bucket list to things I once did and now miss doing. That often happens with senior folks. But you know that.

Here is a list of things I've done that I wish never to do again...
 1). Ride in a school bus on a winter's night.
 2). Drink Caster oil.
 3). Get a root-canal.
 4). Purchase colonoscopy 'prep.'
 5). Listen to an New-auto extended-warranty pitch.'
 6). Listen to a T.V. Preacher attempt to sell me something when his message should be about
      God's free 'gift' of eternal life.
 7). Be required to speak to somebody in India regarding my Internet router.
 8). Give another eulogy...seventeen eulogies is enough.
 9). Hear details of another school mass shooting.
10). Write blogs requiring a reading-comprehension level beyond 6th grade, which is the target of most newspapers.

The Slant Of Things...so Interesting.

House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi (D) is undoubtedly the most hated liberal Democrat from the Republican-conservative supporters viewpoint. Obviously, the only way Pelosi would lose that distinction would be if there was a Democratic President. Of course, Pelosi is seen as the leader of obstructing President Trump at every turn. Surely, Pelosi is that nasty person standing between Trump and his promised 'wall.'

If memory serves me correctly, I recall another obstructionist who championed his unwillingness to compromise as rightful 'because elections have consequences and the Republicans had that power to obstruct.' Therefore, Republican Senate leader, Mitch McConnell vowed that his number one effort in the Senate would be to "make sure Obama was a one term President." Later while President Obama was serving his second term, McConnell said the Senate WILL NOT entertain Obama's Supreme Court nominee (Garland) because "I think the new President should have that nomination right."

Fast forward to the current political standoff over financing Trump's border wall and suddenly McConnell thinks the Democrats have two choices (1) engage in compromise legislation or (2) wage a war against President Trump.

Mitch: Suck it up, fella...it's called 'Hard Ball.'

Let's Prioritizes, Folks!

I'm confused with the current conservative political focus. This nonsense about building a Southern border 'wall' to keep immigrants out of our country is getting too much attention. Where is the outrage and supportive outcry for overturning Roe v. Wade? If not NOW...WHEN?

All I've heard over the years is how terrible liberals are supporting a political 'plank' giving women 'choice.' Never mind that in a 'free' society where atheism is valued equally to religious beliefs begs to allow 'choice.' Is it not time to address this horrible and sinful law?

The silence of Rev. Franklin Graham, Tony Perkins (President Family Research Council) and all those Evangelical folks who voted for Trump is deafening! Deafening, I say! The Supreme Court, with Trump's two conservative appointments in the past two years gives an absolutely slam-dunk 5-4 vote, which would overturn a woman's right of choice and ring-in a new era of anti-abortion.

As Larry 'The Cable Guy' would plead..."Get-R-Done!" It is time for the Republican Party to deliver on this long-standing promise. NOW!

A Good Man Always Remembered

Recently while rearranging things in my office/den area, I came across a congratulatory letter about my Edwardsville high school cross country team's second State Finals appearance. In that moment, I had a sweet flashback. In 1970, I accepted the head basketball position at Edwardsville high school and I was also assuming the head cross country position although that was certainly a sidebar notation of the basketball coaching announcement.

I realized that my new high school principal, Neal Schmelzel had just assumed that EHS position and his eldest son, Mark was a senior cross country runner who had been a member of the highly successful cross country program at York high school (Elmhurst, IL.) under the tutelage of America's iconic cross country coaching legend, Joe Newton. In fact, Mark Schmelzel was the individual winner, his junior season at the very prestigious Peoria Cross Country Invitational.

I had previously coached cross country for three years at Washington high school and one year had a squad capture a conference championship. That said, I was not near the cross country coaching knowledge of Coach Newton, with whom my transfer runner Mark had been accustomed. I was not going to fail this kid and short change other EHS 'Tigers' runners, therefore I telephoned Coach Newton and told him of my desire to be a better cross country coach. Here is insight into this classy man's make up. He was ecstatic with the opportunity to spoon feed me his incredible knowledge and he did so for seven seasons. He sent books, materials and periodically telephoned making sure I was digesting and appropriately making coaching application.

In my seven year Edwardsville cross country tenure the 'Tigers' won one Southwestern Conference Championship, qualified two teams for the State Finals and strung together 28-consecutive dual meet victories.

Coach Newton passed a few years ago at age 87. He always publicly championed me as he introduced me to his friends and colleagues as "One of Illinois' best basketball coaches and a pretty good cross country coach." Those words from a gentleman who won 28-Illinois High School Association Cross Country State Championships. Joe Newton's kindness and caring for the coaching profession was one of the greatest lessons in my coaching journey. Oh, how I cherished his friendship. The man epitomized humility...how rare in these times.

Call Me Quick Draw

My goodness, who from my generation of boxer underwear boys could possibly envision that one day we could purchase underwear that stretches 16-ways, guarantees no 'wedgies,' offers a 'quick-draw' fly and gives the owner 'contour-pouch' comfort. Well fellas, say hello to the new Tommy John undies...this is not the same 'Tommy John' (baseball pitcher) who had ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction...nope, were takin' Tommy John men's 'skivvies.'!

It's interesting what's advertised on television these days. Just as underclothes have changed so has marketing acceptability tactics. Today's Victoria Secrets' lingerie ads more closely resemble a girly magazine centerfold from days' of old. Once upon a time, medical doctors and attorneys did not advertise as they do today. Such advertising was considered undignified for their profession. That attitude gave way to greed. The law firms today plead and beg the public to please consider 'suing' somebody...anybody. And as a 1940's boy, I would have thought 'erectile dysfunction' meant something was out of whack with my Gilbert 'Erector Set Toy.'

Soon the NFL Super Bowl will be played and the television ads will be a sidebar fascination to the 100+ million television viewers. I wonder if the advertising cost will be greater than the $5 million per 30-second ads charged by FOX in 2017. Why is the cost so high? The short answer: Advertising works! Several years ago, my family doctor told me that one-third of the prescriptions he writes is  patient requested. Driven by advertisements. Why does he write them. If the medicine the patient wants to try for his arthritis, etc. is compatible with other medicines taken, why not...might have a placebo effect.

Anyway, today I'm heading to the mall to purchase some Tommy John underwear. This old boy with a weakened bladder and a prostate the size of Idaho could benefit from undies with a 'quick-draw-fly.'

Go South Young Man...Go South!

Other than a couple of cruises 🚢 to the Central America's and a short trip into Canada, I've not traveled outside the USA. I've always thought that going back to Europe was reverse-migration and an affront to the sacrifices of my ancesters. Besides, I feel about traveling abroad as I do about going up into the St. Louis Arch. Sure enough, I'd do those things, end up leaving something of value there and then have to go back...I wish to avoid a that.

I have traveled somewhat to extensively in the United States, although there are still many places I'd like to embrace. I've seen the magnificent Western mountains,  canyons and Badlands. The Eastern part of our nation overwhelms with historic significance. The Northern States offer Great Lakes beauty and neat vacation spots. The South has a unique quaintness. Without question, I have traveled most frequently into our Southern States.

The South has various distinctions with regional definition. We talk about the Deep South, The Mid-South and The Border States' South. I suppose my attraction to The South is primarily driven by temperature...I love warm weather...the hotter the better. As a young boy, show me a hot sweaty day when I could get dirty on a baseball sandlot-field and I was one happy lad.

Over the years, I've identified characteristics that suggest one 'going deeper' into The South:
 1). More bumper stickers about God, Guns & Trump & fewer bumper stickers about 'honor roll kids.'
 2). Confederate Flags waving from pickup beds.
 3). Convenient Stores with chewing tobacco displays next to the 'live bait' tubs.
 4). Cheaper and cheaper dental implant billboard ads.
 5). All newborns are given two-names i.e., Billy Ray, Bobby Joe, Emmy Lou or Katie Jean.
 6). Chickens oft times considered as pets. Chickens all the time are more road savvy than people.
 7). The 5-second rule for food dropped to the floor is similar to the two-hour road kill rule.
 8). Home schooling means the family reads the National Enquirer.
 9). Vehicles parked in the front yard is common place...some even 'run.'
10). Tractor tires are never thrown away...they become swings and flower planters.
11). A gutted-dressed-out deer hangs proudly from a front yard tree.
12). Grits is served in all restaurants with every meal.

(Touch)
The South

Let Me Count The Ways

People ask, "Do you feel '80?' I say, "Absolutely, let me count the ways!"

 1). My health insurance company affords free health club membership but I seldom go.
 2). If I don't write it on my calendar, I'll miss the appointment.
 3). My kids are beginning to look middle-aged.
 4). The gleam in my eyes is likely the sun reflecting off my cataract lens implant.
 5). My first sections to read in the newspaper is the obituary and 50-Years Ago.
 6). I've had 8-hours sleep by 4AM.
 7). My medicine cabinet is no longer big enough.
 8). People are constantly telling me, "You sure don't look that old."
 9). Flossing teeth does not take as much time as it once did.
10). Most telemarketing telephone calls are about 'pain' management, assisted living and internment plans.
11). All my medical doctors' telephone numbers are on my cell phone contact list.
12). All my fingers seemed to be turning in different directions and it's difficult opening twist lids.
13). I am so appreciative of the automobile dashboard screen showing rear vision.
14). Television re-runs work for me because I don't recall 'seeing' the first showing.
15). I've changed my attitude about being seated near the restroom at a restaurant.

Spare Me The Hyperbole...Blowhard

My father, Melvin Pershing Roustio was married with two young sons when drafted to serve in World War II at age 26. His two-year stint was under the leadership of General George Patton. My dad was unwilling to share much about his war experiences. He did tell me that a good friend of his serving in the same platoon was killed in a night-fight and it was a heartbreaking moment seeing his body at daylight.

I also remember vividly, my parents saying that the first Republican President they ever voted for was General Dwight D. Eisenhower and their stated reasoning was their belief that a military man would keep their sons from war because military men know the atrocities of war. In retrospect, I can undeniably state that the World War II experiences profoundly affected my father. How he comported himself as a husband, father, citizen and his philosophies and beliefs were altered if not molded by those combat sights and expectations.

I have lamented before that my father preached certain non-negotiable posturing to his oldest son. I cannot speak for my two younger brothers. I was to show my mother unwavering respect and  obedience. Likewise, I was to assume a respectful attitude around adults. Given a chore or job, I was expected to do it 'his' way. I was told if I didn't like the way things were in my own world, i.e. school or sports, I was not to bring the problem to the kitchen table but do something to change things. I was told time and time again that people (teammates) don't like a 'goldbrick' or slacker. I was also cautioned not to 'run-off' at the mouth. "Don't get the big-head with your accomplishments, what you've done has been done by others and some did more," he would say. And frequently, he'd warn me,  "Hey boy, when out on the streets, don't let your mouth write a check that your ass can't cash."

Every time, I hear our blow-hard President run off at his mouth about how he knows more THAN ANYBODY about taxes, banking, campaign finances, debt, social media, politicians, Cory Booker, jobs, history of  infrastructure, international trade, the military, the horrors of nuclear war and the Islamic State, I can envision the daily ass-whoopin's Trump would've gotten in my father's world.

Recently, Trump said, "I would have been a good General." Damn those heel-spurs, eh, Donald?  We will never know just how great a General you could have been.

That's What We Value, Folks!

It appears that some Major League Baseball team will give (outfielder) Bryce Harper approximately 350-million dollars for 8 or ten years service. The lifetime .279 hitter will earn a yearly salary of approximately 37-million dollars. The average MLB player earns 4-million a year and some get 'performance incentives.' The average NFL player earns 2-million annually while his NBA counterpart rakes in 5-million yearly.

When I board a commercial airplane, the pilot is earning approximately $79,000.00. I sure hope he or she gets incentive bonuses when successfully landing that air-boat missile.

The average teacher's salary is only $48,000.00 annually and if we don't pay these people better they are apt to produce an ill-informed electorate, which could ultimately vote idiots and morons into important political leadership positions. Just a thought. It could happen.

Garbage/trash haulers make an average annual salary of $40,000.00. Folks, I don't need to board an airplane or attend a professional sporting event nor do you. But I can guarantee you that we NEED our garbage removed from the front of our homes!

And finally, should a burglar enter your home or your home catch on fire, I'm guessing you'll appreciate the policeman or fireman's work at $142.00 daily pay more than Harper's one-game pay  of 2.2 million dollars.
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Money

It's The Nagging 'Little Things'

Back in 1954, singer Kitty Kallen had a hit song called, 'Little Things Mean A Lot.' Here in this year 2019, I maintain that little things mean a lot more now than they did 65-years ago! Follow my logic and I'll just bet you're of the same opinion.

Look, I may be irritated by the decision to pull our military out of Syria and Afghanistan but not nearly as frustrated with having to pump my own gas and then discover the receipt dispenser is out of tape and I must walk in the cold into the convenient store to ask for the same.

I get upset with my ever escalating Comcast cable and AT&T monthly costs but not near as angry as I do seeing paid advertising programs on three major television networks every Saturday morning and dont forget those endless telemarketing intrusions.

I don't mind paying more for American 'made' products but it really upsets me when they want me to buy an extended warranty; it makes me question American craftsmanship. I hear many people complain about medical insurance and the cost of their prescription drugs. It ain't the arthritis-pill cost that upsets me but it's those kid-safe lids, which are impossible to unscrew with arthritic fingers.

It's the 'little things,' folks...those nagging little things.
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Little Things