Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao was seen recently taking all her husband's pants-trousers to a seamstress in Washington D.C. She is having zippers put in the seat of all Mitch's trousers.
You understand her concern...sure you do.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Probably Sould Consider Sleep AIDS
Sunday past, I rolled out of bed earlier than usual...couldn't sleep. Perhaps I have too much on my mind and then perhaps old people simply can't wait to put their feet on the floor and praise the Lord for another breakfast.
After reading several newspaper stories, I turned on the television. The big TV in the family room. We subscribe to cable offered by Comcast. We get a plethora of channels. Of course, multiple cable channels with Comcast is 'smoke & mirrors.' Lots of repeats!! We pay excess if $200.00 monthly for cable and Internet services.
If you have not seen early Sunday morning cable television offerings, you're not missing anything. Let me tell you that even the major big three networks have sold their souls for the advertising dollar.
Surfing channels, I came across the following exciting programming: A vacuum sweeper sales pitch-loop that was endless and mundane. Then there was that fella with the dark moustache who sells those over-priced pillows; this guy is a tad creepy. Another channel sported two women selling jewelry, handbags and perfumes. Several programs had hawking preachers pitching books, DVD's and trinkets...once in awhile they'd talk about Jesus. One preacher fella said if I sent him $1,000.00 'seed-money,' I would be richly blessed within a short period of time. Actually, I was more spell-bound by one preacher-man named Kenneth who resembles the late, Charles Manson. Suddenly my surfing landed on a channel televising one of those professional European soccer matches, which was like watching a bunch of temperamental private school kids playing a recess kickball game. Finally, I settled for Larry King talking about his prostate. It was either Larry or another program with a couple sporting phony smiles bragging about some men's sex product called Extenze.
I can't understand how stupid we Americans can become. The Saturday before, I paid Sam's Club $45.00 to re-new my yearly right to spend money in their store. Dadgumit, I recall those television days of old when my choices were three black and white 'free' television channels with interesting programs and nobody telling me how to interpret the news or sports analyst fella trying to convince me that some baseball player who hits 30-home runs while striking out 190 times is worth 17-million dollars.
Sometime today, I'm picking up some Melatonin Sleep Aid Supplements at CVS.
After reading several newspaper stories, I turned on the television. The big TV in the family room. We subscribe to cable offered by Comcast. We get a plethora of channels. Of course, multiple cable channels with Comcast is 'smoke & mirrors.' Lots of repeats!! We pay excess if $200.00 monthly for cable and Internet services.
If you have not seen early Sunday morning cable television offerings, you're not missing anything. Let me tell you that even the major big three networks have sold their souls for the advertising dollar.
Surfing channels, I came across the following exciting programming: A vacuum sweeper sales pitch-loop that was endless and mundane. Then there was that fella with the dark moustache who sells those over-priced pillows; this guy is a tad creepy. Another channel sported two women selling jewelry, handbags and perfumes. Several programs had hawking preachers pitching books, DVD's and trinkets...once in awhile they'd talk about Jesus. One preacher fella said if I sent him $1,000.00 'seed-money,' I would be richly blessed within a short period of time. Actually, I was more spell-bound by one preacher-man named Kenneth who resembles the late, Charles Manson. Suddenly my surfing landed on a channel televising one of those professional European soccer matches, which was like watching a bunch of temperamental private school kids playing a recess kickball game. Finally, I settled for Larry King talking about his prostate. It was either Larry or another program with a couple sporting phony smiles bragging about some men's sex product called Extenze.
I can't understand how stupid we Americans can become. The Saturday before, I paid Sam's Club $45.00 to re-new my yearly right to spend money in their store. Dadgumit, I recall those television days of old when my choices were three black and white 'free' television channels with interesting programs and nobody telling me how to interpret the news or sports analyst fella trying to convince me that some baseball player who hits 30-home runs while striking out 190 times is worth 17-million dollars.
Sometime today, I'm picking up some Melatonin Sleep Aid Supplements at CVS.
Monday, October 28, 2019
Not Every Case, But Too Many Cases
My parents provided me and my two brothers with a 'blueprint.' Consider: We attended church. We bathed every day and presented ourselves properly in public. We were 'seen' and not heard in adult company. We respected our neighbors. We were not reckless with money. We had curfews. We ate our evening meal together as a family as we shared events of the day. Our family ate out occasionally on Sunday or on a special occasion. We lived with 'moderation' as a guideline.
Today, I notice many differences in the American family. It is apparent from observing the nightly parking lots of restaraunts few families are eating at home and families rarely eat together. That said, most families seem to be undisciplined when it comes to eating in 'moderation.' Let me cut to the plain truth...we're a fat society, generally speaking. Oh I know, my use of the word 'fat' is politically incorrect but you, too have observed obesity abounds!
I am certain that as our appetites and bellies grow our self-discipline proportionately declines. We need not angst over the self-discipline erosion because there is a fix. For many years, some adults with weight issues have opted for bariatric surgery. I understand that some people must pursue weight surgical control efforts for uncontrollable health issues, however many such gastric-bypass surgeries to reduce stomach size has become a risky exercise driven by mental weakness. Recently, pediatric physicians have 'signed-off' on adolescent bariatric surgery. Therefore, the medical field keeps pace with the current parenting philosophy of NOT telling children NO for fear of damaging their self-esteem and thus we now risk unknown physical problems for our young in both the short and long-term.
Today, I notice many differences in the American family. It is apparent from observing the nightly parking lots of restaraunts few families are eating at home and families rarely eat together. That said, most families seem to be undisciplined when it comes to eating in 'moderation.' Let me cut to the plain truth...we're a fat society, generally speaking. Oh I know, my use of the word 'fat' is politically incorrect but you, too have observed obesity abounds!
I am certain that as our appetites and bellies grow our self-discipline proportionately declines. We need not angst over the self-discipline erosion because there is a fix. For many years, some adults with weight issues have opted for bariatric surgery. I understand that some people must pursue weight surgical control efforts for uncontrollable health issues, however many such gastric-bypass surgeries to reduce stomach size has become a risky exercise driven by mental weakness. Recently, pediatric physicians have 'signed-off' on adolescent bariatric surgery. Therefore, the medical field keeps pace with the current parenting philosophy of NOT telling children NO for fear of damaging their self-esteem and thus we now risk unknown physical problems for our young in both the short and long-term.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Boooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
If Major League Baseball (World Series) fans are wondering why President Trump is not accepting the traditional invitation for a President to 'throw-out' the first pitch before a game, which one would think is a natural considering three of the World Series games will be played in the Nation's Capitol, well Trump explained. Evidently, he feels he'd 'look' to bulky in his bullet proof vest. I don't doubt one moment that the guy would look fatter than usual but I don't think for a second that explanation covers the true reason for bowing out. Trump knows very well that the chorus of boos upon his introduction at Nationals' Park would be deafening.
Good call, Mr. President, Good call.
Good call, Mr. President, Good call.
Let's Do The Right Thing
Our son, Steve who teaches high school has approximately 200-students in his combined classes this school year. His school district evidently keeps track of total behavior-referrals during every student's tenure in the school district. Steve posed this question: How many total referrals do you think these (200) high school students have amassed? I thought for a moment and offered the guess, 5,500. He responded, "How did you get so close? The actual total is 5,210." This scenario is found in all public schools.
The circumstance is all about 'discipline.' Taught discipline, which is NOT BEING TAUGHT. The do-right behavior erosion begins in the home with impotent parenting and it gains momentum with many teachers electing the easy way out from confrontational-mentoring. (Let's clarify the phrase 'confrontational mentoring.') As a parent and a teacher, I felt a responsibility to confront wrong doing and or behavior that could be harmful to my child or the student at my charge. In plain words, I refused to ignore bad behavior and most often chose to handle discipline problems myself rather than refer it to an administrator who had no relationship with my student and would likely suspend a marginal-student who could not afford to miss school. This refusal by teachers to engage and truly attempt mentoring and counseling is a profoundly missed opportunity.
In defense of teachers, I will contend that most parents deal the teachers a bad 'playing-hand.' During my elementary school days, my father always told me the first day of the new school year, "Boy, don't do anything at school that would cause me to miss work and have to come up there to talk with your teacher." It resonated because I remember once as a young boy sassing mother and when my father got home from work he gave me three whacks on the ass with his belt. I never forgot that and never got a referral. My parents made life easier for my teachers.
Those parenting lessons continued in my sports life. My father told me that teammates don't like a goldbrick; a teammate who shirks responsibility. He also told me, "Don't complain. If you don't like your situation then do something to change it." I guess that's why, as my son's basketball coach, I threw him out of practice one night for not 'doing right. It got his attention and his teammates' attention.
The circumstance is all about 'discipline.' Taught discipline, which is NOT BEING TAUGHT. The do-right behavior erosion begins in the home with impotent parenting and it gains momentum with many teachers electing the easy way out from confrontational-mentoring. (Let's clarify the phrase 'confrontational mentoring.') As a parent and a teacher, I felt a responsibility to confront wrong doing and or behavior that could be harmful to my child or the student at my charge. In plain words, I refused to ignore bad behavior and most often chose to handle discipline problems myself rather than refer it to an administrator who had no relationship with my student and would likely suspend a marginal-student who could not afford to miss school. This refusal by teachers to engage and truly attempt mentoring and counseling is a profoundly missed opportunity.
In defense of teachers, I will contend that most parents deal the teachers a bad 'playing-hand.' During my elementary school days, my father always told me the first day of the new school year, "Boy, don't do anything at school that would cause me to miss work and have to come up there to talk with your teacher." It resonated because I remember once as a young boy sassing mother and when my father got home from work he gave me three whacks on the ass with his belt. I never forgot that and never got a referral. My parents made life easier for my teachers.
Those parenting lessons continued in my sports life. My father told me that teammates don't like a goldbrick; a teammate who shirks responsibility. He also told me, "Don't complain. If you don't like your situation then do something to change it." I guess that's why, as my son's basketball coach, I threw him out of practice one night for not 'doing right. It got his attention and his teammates' attention.
Friday, October 25, 2019
A Song for You & Me.
Most Major League Baseball players have a 'walk up' song. It is usually a popular tune they like or a song of choice that perhaps makes a statement. I suppose the origin of the MLB 'walk up' songs is traced back to 1970 when Chicago White Sox organist, Nancy Faust began playing the State song of every baseball hitter on the Sox as they walked to the batter's box.
This past year, Cardinals' shortstop, Paul DeJong's 'walk up' song was "You've Got Another Thing Comin'." By-Judas Priest. Back in 2018, Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs 'walked' to the plate to the tune "The Stroke," by Billy Squire.
I would suspect that nobody reading these words have a 'walk-in' song as the cross the threshold of their respective work places. That said, I propose that we might ALL agree to having a 'WALK-OUT song each morning as we leave our house.
Okay, here's my suggested 'walk-out' song>>
(Touch)
Don't Let The Devil Ride
This past year, Cardinals' shortstop, Paul DeJong's 'walk up' song was "You've Got Another Thing Comin'." By-Judas Priest. Back in 2018, Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs 'walked' to the plate to the tune "The Stroke," by Billy Squire.
I would suspect that nobody reading these words have a 'walk-in' song as the cross the threshold of their respective work places. That said, I propose that we might ALL agree to having a 'WALK-OUT song each morning as we leave our house.
Okay, here's my suggested 'walk-out' song>>
(Touch)
Don't Let The Devil Ride
He Awakens The Little Boy
A long-time friend of mine recently commented that he noted our three grown children and some of our grandchildren are dog owners. He went on to surmise that 'dog loving' must be a family-learned behavior. I agreed with him sighting the obvious as I suggested that children often times follow parents in many pursuits and behavior patterns. I've seen fathers and sons bond over fishing, golf, work choices and pro team fandom. Likewise, mother's and daughters many times share life long interests. That said, I do believe the adult child must find sustaining joy or they will eventually move away from those youthful exposures.
Speaking for myself and my relationship with my many dogs over my lifetime, I find it no secret what it was and is that solidifies my love for the dog. Oh sure, I enjoy those games of fetch, chase, tug-of-toys and walks. However, I came to realize many years ago that the 'deal-sealer' for me with the dog is found in those quiet times spent together laying together across the bed or on the floor when stroking the head of a sleeping dog and this old man is suddenly 'in touch' with that little boy inside.
I always viewed my pups as 'God Winks.'
Speaking for myself and my relationship with my many dogs over my lifetime, I find it no secret what it was and is that solidifies my love for the dog. Oh sure, I enjoy those games of fetch, chase, tug-of-toys and walks. However, I came to realize many years ago that the 'deal-sealer' for me with the dog is found in those quiet times spent together laying together across the bed or on the floor when stroking the head of a sleeping dog and this old man is suddenly 'in touch' with that little boy inside.
I always viewed my pups as 'God Winks.'
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