Where Are The Keys?

I heard a television sports' analysts offer the 'keys' for each teams' success before a Final Four basketball game. I once was told by a dietitian what the 'keys' were to maintain proper nutrition and weight. Many years ago, I had an investment fella explain the 'keys' to retirement security. It would appear that successful, healthy and happy living is ours if we only USE the KEYS!


My children and grandchildren have all been told where our extra house key is 'hanging.' Likewise, they know where the bank safety deposit-box key is hanging. These are informational items to enable them to access should they need.




My wife and I also gave our children and grandchildren the following information:: 'The 'key' to Heaven is hanging on the cross.'


May you embrace this 'Holy Week and unlock its promise.

Oh, Well it Gets Me Out of the House

I cannot decide if the Walmart shopping experience is a positive heart-stimulating exercise for this seventy-five year old 'ticker' or if the drill is a taxing-stress-filled detriment to my aging nervous system. Let me share my mental anguish.
Entering Walmart's parking lot, I must be keenly alert to other entering drivers who believe they increase personal worthiness by securing the parking spot nearest the main entrance; these folks are on a mission from hell. Laying claim to a shopping cart would test the patience of the late Saint, Mother Teresa. The carts are tightly soldiered into one another and invariably the first cart I attempt to dislodge will be hooked to the second cart by the child-safety belt, which is never used by any mother who places her child in the cart seated in their own carry-seat. After much haggling and a pinched finger or two, I am successful in separating. As I pull my cart out I look over my shoulder to notice an elderly women with a walking cane displaying a longing gander at my available cart; I give her the cart and turn to the long row of tightly stacked carts and begin my struggles again. Finally, I have a cart and enter the store. As I head towards the produce aisle, I notice the cart is 'pulling' a hard- right towards the Men's Underwear section. The right front wheel of the cart appears to be having a seizure as it wobbles uncontrollably making a loud squeaking noise, which causes all other shoppers to turn and gawk at the old fart.


Upon securing my vittles, I search five minutes for lawn bags, which Walmart moves frequently to different corners of the store for the purpose of causing you to 'notice' something else on 'sale.' With my 18-items in cart, I head to the express checkout lane, refusing the 'self-check' passage. In the 20-items or less line, I find myself behind a rather robust lady with a cart filled and over-flowing. I do my best to suppress my anger as I suspect her blatant disregard to her rule-breaking lane choice; telling myself that she is unaware of her misstep.


In the parking lot, I spend an additional 3-to-4 minutes trying to remember the lane number (today) where I parked my auto. During my drive back home, I recall my teen years when I worked for my Aunt Irene as a grocery store deliver boy. Neighborhood customers telephoned the store and my Aunt would take their order then hand me the order ticket. I would traverse the aisles of the corner store and fill the box, which I would later deliver to that customer's home. Why is it that I seem to always be on the wrong side of the game?

Talk to Me

There is little doubt that my grandkids know so much more than I do when it comes to operating all these Internet and social media gadgets. I am always asking them 'how to do this or that.' However, I dare say, they are completely wrong when they embrace the notion that their generation is more connected with others than was my contemporaries.


Here is my contention: It is true that in seconds, this younger crowd can tweet, text or facebook interact globally. The question is: 'Are they more connected?'
In the 1940's and early 50's, we had a telephone 'party-line,' which meant that when you picked up the receiver you might hear two other people having a conversation; the telephone line had two (2) households sharing. perhaps your first thought is that we sacrificed privacy; you would be correct but I dare say, we were 'connected' because we not only knew what was going on in our life but we could eavesdrop and hear who was having an affair, who had gall bladder surgery and which local grocery store carried the best meats; we were connected.' Of an evening, we all sat on the front porch and visited with neighbors walking by or a competitive game of backyard Crockett was the evenings choice; both activities kept us 'connected.'


Of course the week had certain staples as part of the routine and each event kept us very connected. There was Sunday morning worship service with an evening follow up. Mid-week found us back at the Lord's house with Wednesday night prayer meeting. Friday evening families loaded up the vehicle and headed to the local drive in theater. It was a gathering yard with elevated mounds that position the auto for movie viewing. Before the dusk took over and the feature began, parents 'connected' at the swing-sliding board play area at the grassy knoll area in front of the over sized screen. Saturday's were set aside for house maintenance, perhaps a late afternoon picnic or that 'Church Ice Cream Social...we were connected  !


Today, I observe many people side-by-side in restaurants, shopping centers, movie houses, sporting events and my own living room; each often show disinterest in other nearby as they prefer to connect with their handheld phone.

Some Ideas are Simply Stupid

It was back in 2008, an idea for a mega task force was proposed by some government agency. (I have not heard much about this task force the past six-years). As I recall, officials were worried about a flu pandemic or a catastrophic event causing chaotic situations as responders would attempt to administered to sick and or injured. It was concluded that it would be impossible to 'save' everybody...thus a need for a task force, which would determine guidelines for whom to 'save' and whom to let die.
This 'god-like' committee provided the following 'eenie-meenie-minie-mo' out-of-luck list:
  *  People older than 85...(I suppose I best 'carry my birth certificate in case).
  *  Those with severe head trauma from shootings and auto wrecks. (Chalk up a win for the anti-stem cell research folks)
  *  Severe burn patients over 60. (Message here: I should stop charcoal grilling NOW!)
  *  Those with dementia or Alzheimer's (This without doubt flies in the face of a Christian Nation)
  *  Those with severe heart, lung or diabetic disease. (Reminds me that I must stop by Walgreen and pick up fish oil and baby aspirin).
What a PLAN; what a Country ! I support out troops; they suffer head trauma serving our nation and come a flu pandemic, they are shit-out-a-luck.


  I cannot fathom listening to this committee's conversations !!! Don't you know that many of these committee members would be right-wing conservatives who pontificate the Judea-Christian principles upon which America was founded. I find it absolutely amazing how these folks pick and choose when to hold Christ's hand.


Had I been asked to serve on this task force, I would offer a much different list. In the event of a pandemic or catastrophic event causing a select few to get treatment or saved, I suggest we pass on television sports' analysts & political pundits, sex offenders and third term politicians.

More About Green Than Black

"Sure this country has a black President, but when you look at a black President, President Obama is left with his foot stuck in the mud from all the Republicans with the way he's treated."...Hank Aaron (Hall-of-Fame Baseball Great) Aaron continued saying, "The bigger difference is that back then (when Aaron chased the home run record) they had hoods (KKK). Now they have neckties and starched shirts." Sounds as if,  Aaron can still be called, "Hammerin' Hank !"


There are a couple of things laced into this equation referenced by the great home run king. There are many racists who find no trouble cheering the Black football running back as he dodges tackles seeking the end zone. However, it simply becomes too much of a jump to cheer a black man in the Oval Office of the White House. This would require those prejudice minds to concede that the black-fella is a smart fella.


Mr. Aaron is correct with his assessment of Republicans saying NO, NO, NO to this President. Aaron thinks that Republicans wish this black President to fail; he is Right On! However, we should be careful overgeneralizing. The prejudice-attitude is fickle, it will 'hitch' a ride with any body going the preferred bigotry-racism direction. Don't forget that Abe Lincoln was a Republican but he was a Republican on the wrong side of the race issue for the Southerners. Those Bubbas never got over the fact that they had to have their kids get off their 'white' ass and pick cotton.


This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Bill signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. We must keep in mind that 'civil rights' transcends 'race'. Let's not forget the rights of women, workers (unions) and gays; 'CIVIL' speaks to the rights of American citizens.


We may only speculate that the Republican Party might cooperate with a 'white' President more than Obama, who is a 50-50 mixed- race guy. Aside from that guess, I am sure the Tea-Party-Republican Party resistance against gays, unions, minimum wage, education funding, immigration reform, affordable health care, environmental protection, food stamp programs, etc, would not waver. They do vote YES on occasion; they vote "YES" on any attempt to disenfranchise poor and 'black' voters. That said, we should be careful NOT to attribute ALL the  Conservative resistance as a RACE MATTER. As much as those Tea Party folks may see the color black negatively, most of their logic is predicated & driven on and by the color GREEN.

Always Two Sides, Rushie !

On occasion, I turn the radio dial to hear the most current Limbaugh-Rant. Today, El Rushbo was at his best spewing disingenuous conservative logic. Okay, don't take my word, as if you would; I'll present his argument and you decide. Of course, Rush's bottom-line mission remains the bashing of Obamacare. Yesterday, Limbaugh stated that the liberals are bemoaning that medical physicians are making 'too much' money and they should not be profiting from the sick to that extent. On a personal note, I believe television weather forecasters make too much money considering their batting averages.


I suppose now you have accepted Rush's premise or rejected it. I just have one question for the Cape Crusading-Cape Girardeau, (Missouri) college drop out: Should teachers' make so little money educating the future physicians of our Nation?


I'm getting forgetful...I POSTED two blogs yesterday...did I confuse you?

Legends In Our Own Minds

A fanatic is a person filled with single-minded zeal; his passion for a cause is oft-times played out in unreasonable enthusiasm and destructive behavior. Soccer fans from around the world are the best example of over-the-top fanaticism; thank God, soccer is NOT YET America's National (Sport) Pastime!!
The American sport fan is busy enough, in this 21st century, physically attacking and beating-up opponent fans in stadium parking lots who dare wear the 'other' team's apparel. We have our hands full turning over automobiles and setting fires to property after our baseball team wins the World Series. And good deal when our college kids have their basketball team win the NCAA basketball tournament; they have good reason to get 'wasted' and engage in Sodom and Gomorrah  vice like activities...after all, they are entitled!
We Americans are much like most other nations...we believe our own propaganda...we are the best...we are number ONE. By the time we reach young-adulthood, we are blinded by the smoke pouring out our own ass. We believe that God is on OUR side; expect during the Winter Olympics.