Funny What We Recall

As a teen, I enjoyed watching my Father eat a supper meal. Let me state, my Mother was a great cook. I could eat my weight in her roast, carrots, potatoes and gravy. Her Swiss steak with red gravy was terrific and the lady could flat out pie-bake! I did not always care for my Mom's menu. When she served up pig's feet, pig tails, beef brains or sauerkraut, I nearly choked on every bite. Later in life, I took a likin' to her liver & onions recipe only to have my doctor caution me that it was not a healthy meal.

My Dad never flinched at any foods Mom put before him. He would gnaw on a pig's tail as if it was a delicious barbecue baby back rib. Watching my Dad eat meals caused me to realize one of hing for certain; here was a guy who went to bed hungry on many occasions in his life and perhaps re-visited the memory during his military stint.

I know this sounds silly but once in awhile in a midnight hour, I find myself longing for one more supper hour of roast, fixings and gravy. I'd would watch my Dad out of the corner of my eye as I tried to make my own bread and gravy 'come out even.'

Fear Not All Bad

I recall a few years back watching that television show called, ' Fear Factor.' Contestants could win increased money values predicated on taking more and more serious dares and risks. Personally, there is not enough dough to have me bungy-jump off the Royal Gorge Bridge. However, I can assure you that my generation grew up with a 'fear factor;' actually 'factors!' Let me explain.

My religious training reminded us frequently (Sunday Sermons/ parents lectures) that Jesus would be returning to earth and those who were living in sin and had not repented would be doomed to the fires of Hell forever...that's a long time. My daughter once suggested that my religious teaching was based on fear. I thought, "You bet your sweet Book of Revelations!" Does not a good loving parent warn of street traffic, strangers, the hot stove, etc.?

Let me share some of my other youthful fear factors: consequences for bad behavior...and whereas many parents today withhold corporal punishments, my parents did not! As a toddler, I got spankings for tantrums and other inappropriate behavior. I can assure you that at age 16, I experienced my father's backhand when I disrespectfully sassed my mother making her cry.

I never doubted for a moment that my parents loved me. I never held the misconception that my parents worshiped me. I did understand early in life that my Dad loved my Mother more than anybody and if Mom was happy, Dad was happy and well you get it...it's a 'trickle-down theory' that worked a hellava lot better than the one Ronald Reagan offered.

The Idiot

We can agree and we can agree to disagree. You've heard that line many times. The message is spot on whether it is the philosophy of politics, religion, parenting, sports' teams, etc. freedom of choice and opinion is a wonderful gift in a free America protecting individuals with constitutionally guaranteed rights.

I embrace the differing opinions and enjoy a lively debate with respect for all beliefs and dissertations. That said, I do admit failure to keep composure when debating the need for financial support for public education. Let me elaborate. A spot check around our country renders similar education funding issues or better stated, 'the lack thereof.' Unless the community is most affluent or houses a nuclear plant, which pays handsome taxes, most school districts depend on local taxes and State funds to enable 'Dick and Jane to see Spot run.'

Some States (Illinois) fail to meet its constitution funding responsibility. Communities find themselves dependent on more local taxes or 'budget cuts' to keep schools afloat. When tax referendums are introduced, we can expect local lively debates. Now, I am good to hear differing opinions except the following: When the older residents say, "I'm not about to vote 'yes' on the school tax proposal, my kids are out of school." I hear that logic verbalized often...and I wonder, WHO THE HELL PAID FOR THEIR KID'S EDUCATION?

A Bedroom Game Bites The Dust

For many years, my wife and I really got into a morning bedroom game. I mean to tell you, we were passionate about our merriment pleasures. Unfortunately, Father Time has caught up with us and 'taken us out of the game.' Let me explain.
I usually wake up sometime between 5AM and 6AM. It's not that I don't enjoy sleeping-in, but I usually must answer one of two calls: satisfy my bladder or respond to seventy-six year old joints crying out for movement. I normally go downstairs to post my blog, read the newspaper and catch the morning TV weather forecast. About eight o'clock, I take breakfast and the newspaper back upstairs where my wife is still in bed watching the 'Today Show.' After we eat our cereal and drink a cup of coffee, the GAME begins!

One of us opens the newspaper to the section that holds the daily celebrities birthday column. One morning she reads off the celebrities' names and I guess their ages then the next morning, I read the names and she guesses. For years we had a 'ball' guessing ages. We even kept a score card. If you guessed within three years, you got a point; if you hit the age bulls eye, you got two points.

Well, it happened...we no longer know enough celebrities to even play the game. You see, our back in the day celebs stopped celebrating birthdays.

Gee, I just re-read the first couple lines of this blog; I hope I didn't mislead you guys.

How Does Happy Happen?

Buried deep in my morning newspaper was an article entitled, 'What Would It Take to Make You Happy?' The piece included opinions centered around various survey findings. Perhaps not surprising was the top answer to the question: MONEY.
The Columnist reported three conclusions. Certainly, money in the hands of those in poverty would surely make them happy, however others did not necessarily find joy with more money or more material stuff. Finally, the writer referenced the decade of the 1950's as a barometer for happiness. Since the 50's hits smack dab in my teenage years, I wondered what was so different then and now. I share my thoughts not as an indictment of others but simply as a profile in time.

In the 1950's...
(1) Most mothers did not work outside the home...thus an after school comfort zone for children did much to create a parent bond with interaction and behavior monitoring.
(2) One black & white television with only three channel choices did not command our attention.
(3) Family meals eaten together for the most part.
(4) Family board games bonded children and parents as did those summertime backyard games.
(5) There were no electronic media devices to cause social disconnect.
 (6) Most families had one car only...the family car, which a teen requested for 'special' occasions.
(7) There was a strong 'neighborhood network' due to folks being outside interacting with other neighbors. A 'village' was watching the youth.

Finally, may I close out this blog by sharing with you that I have preached to my children and grandchildren this thought:  The happiest people in the world are the those who pursue a work passion and find ways to serve others during their journey.

Oh, I'm Probably Wrong

Webster's dictionary defines 'generally' as widely so; keep the definition in mind as I state that 'generally,' many parents are weak kneed and ineffective in their role.'

Recently, we (America) have seen a measles outbreak and to little surprise the reason is traced to parents who refuse to have their children inoculated fearing the risk of autism, which is based on false information. Never mind what may be in the best interest of the masses. These parents become ruffled at the notion that GOVERNMENT dare make those choices for children. Parents wish for the government to stay out of their personal lives.

Of course, the same parents want government to regulate fast food restaurants and school lunch programs because their kids cannot possibly exercise self-control due to the fact the children have never been taught self-discipline or the meaning of the word 'No.'  Nevertheless, parents do expect federally funded after school programs that correlate to mom and dad's work times.

 The message from mommy and daddy is simple: some things we can do on our own, other things we cannot do...we will let the 'State' know when they are needed to serve us as individuals.

I Just Wonder

I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, therefore I am sometimes  puzzled. I often wonder about Why things are the way they are; perhaps you wonder also.

(1) What would the Middle East look like today had America not invaded Iraq, overthrow and kill dictator, Saddam Hussein?
(2) Where is it written that the United States has the final say on which nations are allowed to develop nuclear weapons?
(3) Why are firefighters so revered and policemen are quickly criticized?
(4) Why can I purchase gasoline in Decatur, Illinois @ $2.11per gallon and 1 hour 45 minutes down the highway at Edwardsville, Illinois that same exact product cost $2:49 per gallon?
(5) We often read or hear through the media about pro athletes that abuse their wives but never hear a report about physicians abusing a spouse. Suppose they don't?
(6) Why would any sane person sign up to drive a school bus?
(7) Which has the greatest need for publicity and adoration: Donald Trump or Rudy Gulianni ?
(8) Why don't we leave the Christmas tree standing the entire year? After all, the tree (itself) is rooted in Pagan tradition. What's wrong with leaving the tree up year around. At the designated holiday season, why not hang upon the tree Valentine hearts, Shamrocks, Easter eggs, American Flags and pumpkin ornaments?
(9)  Why do Priests and Protestant Pastors soften sermon messages thus vacating the 'hell-fire and damnation' sermon for the more warm-fuzzy comments?
(10) How different would America look if our founding fathers had written in 'term limits' for all elected officials.