When a good deal or pleasant occurrence fell in Grandpa E.V. Bennett's lap you would hear him exclaim, "Hot Damn!! This throw-back phrase flashed in my mind when I heard the news that there WILL BE self-service beer taps at this 2014, Major League All-Star game slated for 'Target Field,' home of the Minnesota 'Twins.' A chorus of 'Hot Damns' echoed across this beer drinking nation.
Stop and write a thank note to your Congressman and express appreciation to him/her for this continuation of 'pampered' and addictive enabling treatment. Just think...several years ago, the American gamblers had to find those back-room slots and table games; finally, the Bible Belt folks were convinced some money from the gambling boats would be earmarked for education and boy that was going to be a 'wind-fall' for schools; a hot damn moment for gamblers and education. Today, we have those gambling opportunities 'online,' Hot Damn! Sorry teachers and school children; life's a bitch for some.
Shit fie and save matches, was another Kentucky colloquialism used by Grandpa E.V. Well, shit fire and save matches, we now have medical marijuana...getting the family doctor to prescribe pot for patients requires little arm twisting...Hot Damn!
To quote another great man, Yakov Smirnoff, "Whata Country!
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Change Came to My World
These days, I wait in a fast-foot drive thru lane or inside at the counter to purchase processed packaged foods likely prepared thousands of miles from my belly. Once I jumped from my front porch to purchase hot tamales from some push-cart fella who lived blocks away from me. I can close my eyes and hear the roving newspaper boy winding his way up & down neighborhood streets calling out, "Paper, Morning Globe! Today, I extract a few news items from the television and my smart phone.
Two days ago, I needed gasoline for the auto and drove a few blocks to a 'convenient store,' which offered gasoline and a variety of tobacco products, beer/liquor and edibles....the experience did not resemble 'convenient' in any fashion ! That evening I took my wife to a movie and heard some actor tell her grown children (characters), "Your late father was really HUNG." I suppose that Deborah Kerr thought that of her leading man Cary Grant; why else did they spend so much time in their ship's cabin, in the movie, An Affair to Remember," however she never mentioned it to the movie goers.
Multi-millionaire pro baseball players are a far kin to those players of my childhood who worked at off-season jobs to make ends meet, i.e., today's school teachers. It's been many years since a preacher-man has told me that you go to hell for eternity if you don't repent and live right. Today's pulpit-prophet knows better than to say something so negative and bold, why, if he should suggest that he could 'color-me-gone-from-my-back-row-pew the next Sunday!
I see all kinds of depictions of "REAL Housewives" played out on television shows. Those ladies don't resemble the REAL housewives I knew growing up. I recall ringer-washers and my mother hanging clothes on a line in the backyard to dry. That was part of Monday's real life and Tuesday found her standing for hours over a hot iron pressing starched shirts and other clothing. She had a great supper for all the family around 5:30PM and by the time she hand washed and hand dried the dishes it was about 7:00PM just in time to sit a spell with the family and watch television shows; 'Father Knows Best, 'Red Skelton and Milton Berle. I recall Red Skelton telling viewers at the close of each show that "If I hurt anybody's feelings or offended anybody, I am sorry." Today, I see prime time 'dry-humping' and hear language once reserved for pool rooms and back alleys. I wonder what my grandchildren will remember fifty years from this morning?
Two days ago, I needed gasoline for the auto and drove a few blocks to a 'convenient store,' which offered gasoline and a variety of tobacco products, beer/liquor and edibles....the experience did not resemble 'convenient' in any fashion ! That evening I took my wife to a movie and heard some actor tell her grown children (characters), "Your late father was really HUNG." I suppose that Deborah Kerr thought that of her leading man Cary Grant; why else did they spend so much time in their ship's cabin, in the movie, An Affair to Remember," however she never mentioned it to the movie goers.
Multi-millionaire pro baseball players are a far kin to those players of my childhood who worked at off-season jobs to make ends meet, i.e., today's school teachers. It's been many years since a preacher-man has told me that you go to hell for eternity if you don't repent and live right. Today's pulpit-prophet knows better than to say something so negative and bold, why, if he should suggest that he could 'color-me-gone-from-my-back-row-pew the next Sunday!
I see all kinds of depictions of "REAL Housewives" played out on television shows. Those ladies don't resemble the REAL housewives I knew growing up. I recall ringer-washers and my mother hanging clothes on a line in the backyard to dry. That was part of Monday's real life and Tuesday found her standing for hours over a hot iron pressing starched shirts and other clothing. She had a great supper for all the family around 5:30PM and by the time she hand washed and hand dried the dishes it was about 7:00PM just in time to sit a spell with the family and watch television shows; 'Father Knows Best, 'Red Skelton and Milton Berle. I recall Red Skelton telling viewers at the close of each show that "If I hurt anybody's feelings or offended anybody, I am sorry." Today, I see prime time 'dry-humping' and hear language once reserved for pool rooms and back alleys. I wonder what my grandchildren will remember fifty years from this morning?
Monday, July 7, 2014
Happy Birthday America & Congrats Big Weenie Eater
After my early Saturday morning 40-minute walk, I checked out the local Farmer's Market and then returned home for a quick shower and then fixed a seafood (shrimp) salad for supper . I landed in my easy-chair to read the morning newspaper and check out television programing. The latter indulgence offered a conflicted decision. Let me explain.
One television channel was showing the replay of the annual fourth of July Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Championship while another station was broadcasting a World Cup Soccer game between Argentina and Brazil. It seems that defending wiener-eater-champ, Joey Chestnut proposed to his girlfriend on July 4th and 90-minutes later won his eighth hot dog eating championship by consuming 61 dogs in ten minutes. This means the American fans have been chanting USA, USA, USA for the last 12-consecutive years as Americans boast the top Winnie-eaters of the world!
Since I find watching a gorger stuff as much food as possible into their body within 10-minutes is disgusting behavior under any pretense and I could not pronounce any players' names from Argentina or Brazil, I opted to watch the John Wayne cowboy classic 'Rio Bravo.' Tell you what Pilgrim, you'd never catch 'The Duke' eating Hot Dogs, NO Sir, we'd bet he was a T-Bone Steak guy !
One television channel was showing the replay of the annual fourth of July Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Championship while another station was broadcasting a World Cup Soccer game between Argentina and Brazil. It seems that defending wiener-eater-champ, Joey Chestnut proposed to his girlfriend on July 4th and 90-minutes later won his eighth hot dog eating championship by consuming 61 dogs in ten minutes. This means the American fans have been chanting USA, USA, USA for the last 12-consecutive years as Americans boast the top Winnie-eaters of the world!
Since I find watching a gorger stuff as much food as possible into their body within 10-minutes is disgusting behavior under any pretense and I could not pronounce any players' names from Argentina or Brazil, I opted to watch the John Wayne cowboy classic 'Rio Bravo.' Tell you what Pilgrim, you'd never catch 'The Duke' eating Hot Dogs, NO Sir, we'd bet he was a T-Bone Steak guy !
Friday, July 4, 2014
Birdies and Backyard Dilemma
My wife and I love our large backyard. It contains several flower beds. My wife is a flower-freak. I know little about caring for flowers but I do appreciate the beauty of our Roses, Daisies, Flags, Tiger Lillie's, Peonies and several other varities, which I cannot identify. We have birds-a-plenty; Robins, various Sparrow varieties, Blue Jays, Golden Finches, House Finches, Doves and Cardinals. In fact, in a rather small flower pot just two feet outside our kitchen window and next to the back door to the yard, a Cardinal couple is caring for three baby birds only four days old.
Another wonderful aspect of our backyard is the fact it is fenced. We can just open the back door and Poodle, Yodie can head out, explore and do his things. The only time I must be vigil when Yodie in the backyard alone is during the winter months when the Coyotes are closer to our neighborhood seeking food.
The backyard contains an arbor, which highlights a ice cream table-set salvaged from days gone by from the 'Gas Light District' in St. Louis, Missouri. We have a comfortable three-seat-swing, two wrought iron tables on patios and a pond with fountain. Our backyard is shaded by three large Ash trees. Needless to say, the backyard is a peaceful and serene setting, however it is off limits to me. My wife tells me that as soon as the mother Redbird has her chicks grown and ready to leave the nest, I can go to the backyard. Meanwhile, I sit in the sunroom looking out the window envying that, which I cannot embrace. Hope those baby Redbirds, 'Ducky, Dizzy and Daffy' are quick learners.
Another wonderful aspect of our backyard is the fact it is fenced. We can just open the back door and Poodle, Yodie can head out, explore and do his things. The only time I must be vigil when Yodie in the backyard alone is during the winter months when the Coyotes are closer to our neighborhood seeking food.
The backyard contains an arbor, which highlights a ice cream table-set salvaged from days gone by from the 'Gas Light District' in St. Louis, Missouri. We have a comfortable three-seat-swing, two wrought iron tables on patios and a pond with fountain. Our backyard is shaded by three large Ash trees. Needless to say, the backyard is a peaceful and serene setting, however it is off limits to me. My wife tells me that as soon as the mother Redbird has her chicks grown and ready to leave the nest, I can go to the backyard. Meanwhile, I sit in the sunroom looking out the window envying that, which I cannot embrace. Hope those baby Redbirds, 'Ducky, Dizzy and Daffy' are quick learners.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Different Strokes for Different Folks
Many years ago, I was asked this question: 'If you could say but one sentence to children and grandchildren before you die, what would that sentence state?' I said, "Accept Christ's gift of salvation, recognize your mother as life's greatest gift and work at that which you love while serving others." That represents my philosophy in concise terms.
I have three children, fifteen grandchildren and soon a second great-grandchild.., the older off springs have heard this sermon more than once. This stated, I embrace tolerance for those of other religious faiths. I will not relinquish by beliefs regarding your mother as your greatest gift and let me say that I have noted the happiest people on earth are those doing work for which they have a passion and serving their fellow man along their journey.
This brings me to the reaction by many people when 41-year old actress, Cameron Diaz stated publicly that she has made a conscientious choice NOT to have kids. When others heard that many immediately attacked the announcement as if Diaz was some kind of sic-monster. She is being honestly forthcoming telling others how she feels about 'herself and motherhood.' It's okay not to have children as a carefully thought out decision. If this is not okay, then those who cannot conceive must be less than fulfilled; hogwash !
Perhaps Cameron Diaz decided not having children would eliminate the need to explain to her kids why she did so much nude posing.
I have three children, fifteen grandchildren and soon a second great-grandchild.., the older off springs have heard this sermon more than once. This stated, I embrace tolerance for those of other religious faiths. I will not relinquish by beliefs regarding your mother as your greatest gift and let me say that I have noted the happiest people on earth are those doing work for which they have a passion and serving their fellow man along their journey.
This brings me to the reaction by many people when 41-year old actress, Cameron Diaz stated publicly that she has made a conscientious choice NOT to have kids. When others heard that many immediately attacked the announcement as if Diaz was some kind of sic-monster. She is being honestly forthcoming telling others how she feels about 'herself and motherhood.' It's okay not to have children as a carefully thought out decision. If this is not okay, then those who cannot conceive must be less than fulfilled; hogwash !
Perhaps Cameron Diaz decided not having children would eliminate the need to explain to her kids why she did so much nude posing.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Family Fun / Family Foolishness
The 65th Annual Roustio Family Reunion is in the books. This Sunday past nearly 90 folks gathered in the hall at Shiloh Community Park near O'Fallon, Illinois. The food was terrific and the sharing conversations were more fun and enlightening; mostly about our family's history and the way each present was connected. Some may have found out for the first time that the original spelling of the name, 'Roustio,' was 'Rousteau.' This name is of French origin, not Italian as many believe. The attendance was doubled from a year ago and our goal next year is to surpass that century mark; we will be offering some interesting incentives via email and telephone calls, which will help meet that objective.
I learned of two family members who chose not to attend the family reunion because someone offended them in the past and they remain 'mad' thus they stay away. This type of behavior never surprises me but always saddens me. It would seem that most families have some fractured relationship issues. Most often this situation require sacrifice and as Dr. Phil says, "Needs a hero." A 'hero' to heal the hurt. Sometimes the individual who may have offended the person 'staying away' does not even know they said or did some thing to cause the anger; that's rather pitiful and funny.
In all cases, the person who opts to discontinue the family-relationship usually hurts only those who care about him-or-her, the others don't notice the absence. Oh, before I close this thought, I did miss cousins Dee Dee Elbe and Dick Roustio, they did not stay away because they are mad...they both died... I really missed them.
I have noticed that the best way to travel life's journey is ego-light.
I learned of two family members who chose not to attend the family reunion because someone offended them in the past and they remain 'mad' thus they stay away. This type of behavior never surprises me but always saddens me. It would seem that most families have some fractured relationship issues. Most often this situation require sacrifice and as Dr. Phil says, "Needs a hero." A 'hero' to heal the hurt. Sometimes the individual who may have offended the person 'staying away' does not even know they said or did some thing to cause the anger; that's rather pitiful and funny.
In all cases, the person who opts to discontinue the family-relationship usually hurts only those who care about him-or-her, the others don't notice the absence. Oh, before I close this thought, I did miss cousins Dee Dee Elbe and Dick Roustio, they did not stay away because they are mad...they both died... I really missed them.
I have noticed that the best way to travel life's journey is ego-light.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Mystery or Obvious?
Ricky Ricardo would ask Lucy to "'splain it," when he did not understand something Lucy did. I wish someone would 'splain' the following things to me:
1. How did it happen that today, seven out of ten youth are unfit for the United States Military?
2. Is there any other profession that finds its workers collectively spend $91 Billion dollars of their own money annually to aid the company's mission? That's the case with American teachers who spend that sum on their students.
3. Why do prisoners no longer 'do hard physical work-time?' Did they not forfeit their rights when they violated others' rights?
4. Why don't we perform a vasectomy on new born male children and reverse it when the child reaches age 21, has $3 thousand saved and can recite 12 nursery rhymes? Think about the notion before dismissing it as crazy !
5. Why doesn't my family doctor insist that I have my teeth cleaned 'twice' a year when it reduces heart attacks by 24%?
6. F#*k it ! Don't freak out...it is proven that pain is reduced when stumping a toe or hitting your thumb with a hammer if you curse. You do not have to 'slain THAT to me because every time Dick Cheney appears on television I call him a f#*king phony and I feel better.
7. Another thing you NEED NOT 'Splain ...it is a proven fact that suicide rates among white people is higher in areas where country music is the most popular; I understand !!
1. How did it happen that today, seven out of ten youth are unfit for the United States Military?
2. Is there any other profession that finds its workers collectively spend $91 Billion dollars of their own money annually to aid the company's mission? That's the case with American teachers who spend that sum on their students.
3. Why do prisoners no longer 'do hard physical work-time?' Did they not forfeit their rights when they violated others' rights?
4. Why don't we perform a vasectomy on new born male children and reverse it when the child reaches age 21, has $3 thousand saved and can recite 12 nursery rhymes? Think about the notion before dismissing it as crazy !
5. Why doesn't my family doctor insist that I have my teeth cleaned 'twice' a year when it reduces heart attacks by 24%?
6. F#*k it ! Don't freak out...it is proven that pain is reduced when stumping a toe or hitting your thumb with a hammer if you curse. You do not have to 'slain THAT to me because every time Dick Cheney appears on television I call him a f#*king phony and I feel better.
7. Another thing you NEED NOT 'Splain ...it is a proven fact that suicide rates among white people is higher in areas where country music is the most popular; I understand !!
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