A thousand words, one memory

  Tomorrow we greet another year. 2025 isn't a number I thought I would be writing when I was in school. Surely 2025 was in the distant future, more than a lifetime away. I do remember being tasked to write a slogan for wearing seatbelts while driving your car. President Johnson was going to sign legislation requiring seat belt usage in all cars in 1966. But this was in 1965 and so I wrote, drive alive in sixty five because I couldn't think of a rhyme for six. That I would be driving in 2025 never entered my mind as I thought we would have flying cars by then. An electric car was a laughable idea, I had gotten a set of those for Christmas. But here we are, on the edge of 2025, just hours away. 

  Having reached my seventy first year my thoughts just naturally turn to the past. After all it is what I have known all my life. Now I was born in July of 1953 so the new year really begins in July. So that means I've got another six months before I'm really another year older. Ever notice how when you were a child months mattered, then not so much, we go to years. Well, I'm going back to months. I'm seventy years six months. 

 I'm here thinking about the past and I have these pictures. In the first picture, one I don't remember being taken I'm two years old. In another, one I vividly remember being taken, I am thirty eight. I remember being thirty eight and that sure seems like a long time ago when you just look at the numbers but in my memory, just the other day. That's the thing after a certain age the other day may be weeks or months, even years ago. It really depends upon who you are talking too. I talk to myself a lot, fewer arguments and disagreements that way, and almost everything just happened a little while back. It's simply that I haven't forgotten. 

 But about those pictures I mentioned here's the story. The first picture was taken Christmas 1955. My siblings and I are all standing in a line, oldest to youngest, wearing our Dr. Dentons, posing before the tree. Dad took that picture with his Kodak box camera, the kind with a big flash bulb. That picture sat on a shelf next to the fireplace and I remember it well. Years later, I can't say exactly what year, my sister sent me a copy of that picture in an engraved frame as a Christmas gift. I believe she did the same for my brothers. We would talk about all of us getting together and recreating that picture long before that became a thing on the internet. No, we weren't planning on all wearing Dr. Dentons, just standing in a line. 

 The years passed and we were never all in one place at the same time, my sister and brothers I mean. All busy living our lives, building our own families. Our lives weren't like any Hallmark holiday movie where the family gets together. In 1990 dad passed away. He was just sixty six. His wish was to be cremated and placed between his mother and father. You see, he never knew his mom, she passed a few weeks after he was born and his father p[assed when he was twelve. So, he was cremated and his ashes taken to East Hampton for internment. That took place in 1991 and it was the first time in many years that we were all gathered together. The picture was taken. Life went on and my brother had that photograph. More years passed without me getting a copy of that photograph. My brother always intending to; get around to it. This year he did just that and I got a copy. That was back in March. 

  That picture had been taken with one of those 110 cameras so popular back then. Everybody had a few of those around. The quality of the photograph was quite poor. Of course no one knew that until after it was developed. But I was still glad to have that photo and showed it to my granddaughter. She took it and said she would have it enhanced using photoshop! I asked her if that was like Fotomat. She didn't have a clue what I was talking about. As I said, that was back in March. I had forgotten about it when to my surprise I was given it back, for Christmas! My granddaughter explained how it had been enhanced as best as could be done. And so Christmas 2024 was now connected to 1955, with a brief stop in '91. 

                                                                 

                                                It all seems like a few days ago sometimes.

                                                At others, a very long time ago. 

                                                A picture is indeed worth a thousand words. 

Committed

  Never one to follow fashion and trends I'm often a bit behind the times when it comes to all of that. That was true even when I was a younger man in my teens and early twenties. I just couldn't bring myself to sport fashions or fads I thought silly. You could say I'm more of a traditionalist. Yes, "boots are still in style for man made footwear." I have worn my hair with the same style like forever. I just don't have time to fool around with all that. My style is changing now however, thinning out you might say, soon I will sport the traditional "low riding halo" of a great grandfather. Well, at least when I take my hat off you will and that doesn't happen often in public.

  I have noticed the incidence of black wedding bands recently. It's a new trend. I googled that a bit to see what it is all about. It's just a trend and I read the marketing literature for that choice.   "black wedding bands often symbolize strength, resilience, and the everlasting bond of marriage. The band’s darkness serves as a constant reminder of the unbroken circle of love, representing the strength and depth of a couple’s commitment to each other." Celebrities like Jay Z have taken to wearing them also. Yeah, it's cool. Well nothing like Titanium to say I love you. Needless to say I still sport the traditional gold band and will never change. I never take that ring off my finger either, neither for safety or convenience. 

  Whatever ring you choose the symbolism remains the same. For me it is simply an unbroken circle. I gave you a promise, one that will go unbroken. The material it is make out of holds no symbolism to me although I understand the choice of gold. It is a precious metal. Titanium is a fairly inexpensive material but quite durable. The price of the ring holds no significance to me either. I just don't get the changing of your ring. I want the one used during the ceremony to remain in my finger as it isn't just a piece of jewelry. But I realize I'm sentimental in that fashion. Old fashioned ideas I suppose, regarding commitment. For me commitment doesn't involve changing your mind about your choice. That includes your wedding band. If it has to be replaced for some other reason that's a different thing altogether. Circumstances change. 

  "Generally, successful fads have some kind of play value, like the Frisbee, Slinky, Silly Putty, my Wall walker. They're generally inexpensive items, impulse items. They tend to be rather useless items, too. They provide a few minutes of amusement." ( Ken Hakuta ) I tend to agree with that statement and also tend to agree with this sentiment, "I believe in a kind of fidelity to your own early ideas; it's a kind of antagonism in me to prevailing fads." ( Grace Paley ) I know how she feels about that as I tend to scoff at new trends and fads. If it isn't broken, don't fix it. A good book is still the best company you can keep. Good sturdy shoes and a warm jacket can't be beat. Oh, and black coffee. 

  But isn't it a strange thing when you decide to stick with something, whatever it is. You become devoted to that and give it your full support. Then when you refuse to submit, change, or agree with others you are ostracized. The "professionals" are called in and you may be "committed." Yeah, that's what they call it when they lock you up for your own good. You're committed until you change your mind! Most of the time though they just call you nuts. 

                                                                                

In time

  Our best guess from the scientists is that the world is about 4.5 billion years old. If we use carbon dating from ice core samples we can measure climate changes as far back as 600,000 years. Sounds impressive doesn't it ? Well not so much when you consider that amount is a mere .013 % of the history of the planet. So, why do so many believe they can predict what is happening with the global weather pattern based on a .013% sampling ? Doesn't seem very scientific or factual to me at all. Of course I'm no scientist.

I admit I sometimes think the same way, believing I have a reasonable chance at winning the lottery. With a one in three hundred and two million chance. It was once explained to me that if I were to purchase 100,000 tickets the overall odds of me getting that winning ticket, the jackpot, would change in my favor by 1/10 of one percent. And that is possible because I could have a 100% sampling size. A computer can generate every possible combination and display every combination that has ever appeared. Well "hope springs eternal in the human breast, man never is, but always to be blest." Guess that's true, I haven't won that lottery, yet.

The truth is we really do not know how old the earth is. It's a guess based on observation. Could be we're not seeing the whole picture even with out latest telescopes. If the science is correct what we are seeing happened light years ago anyway. One light year is about six trillion miles away. If you stacked one trillion pennies one atop another it would be a stack about 860,000 miles high! Now consider the national debt is about 37 trillion dollars. Consider the fact that the scientists say we can see back in time about 46.5 billion years, to the edge of the galaxy. Has the world collapsed 46.6 billion years ago and we just can't see that? Maybe, but the scientists are telling me they can predict the weather twenty years from now. I don't think so.

Now if we could travel at the speed of light and get far enough away we could see exactly when the earth was formed. The birth of stars has been observed as well the collapse. Those mysterious black holes may hold the answer as well. If the gravity in them is so great that not even light can escape how fast is the light traveling in the other direction? The big question being, where does it go? We have no clue. I wonder why they have gravity at all, I'm told no other place in space has gravity, only celestial bodies. It's a guess. We don't even have a sampling size of .013 to base that guess upon. Could be we are inside a black hole trying to look out!

Time is something I believe that man can not fully understand. We measure it in various ways. Mostly it is based on observation. It's dark outside or it's cold. We have watched the position of the stars and planets before we named them as such. The Bible speaks of people living hundreds of years. The calendar itself has been modified many times. Same thing with clocks and the measurement of time passage itself. Daylight savings time, and twenty four time zones around the globe. Yes, each one represents an hour.

The earths rotation is slowing down so the days will be longer, although the distance traveled will be less. How fast was it spinning 4.5 billion years ago? We don't really know that answer. Still the fact that it was spinning faster would explain why those old people in the Bible lived longer. Methuselah lived to be 969. The earth may have spinning nine times faster back then. Currently at the equator we are spinning about 1000 miles per hour. In order for us to be thrown off the globe, that is escape the force of gravity at the equator, we would have to spin at 17669.93 miles per hour. Do you think we would notice an decrease of almost half over 4.5 billion years? Only thing I've noticed is how much faster times appears to pass. Yeah, we don't understand time at all.

Handy

  I see a lot of people that have hobbies, which today is mostly called crafting. I suppose that is to distinguish those activities that actually create something as compared to simply collecting or admiring objects or things. I have taken to composing a blog nearly every morning but I don't think of that as a hobby, more like a habit. I did hear on the news yesterday that there may be a medical treatment for that. Having a habit, developing an addiction may be a disease and it is being called, "repetitive action disorder." RAD is what it will be called in the medical literature. Of course I just laugh at such nonsense. Habits are developed and may be stopped any time you want to. The only requirement is the actual desire to quit. But I'm thinking about hobbies this morning. 

 I don't believe I have a hobby, per se. In my way of thinking in order to have a hobby you have to develop a habit concentrating on one thing. Whether that is model railroads or building bird houses the hobby centers around one thing. Perhaps it is making jewelry. I don't have any one area that I concentrate my efforts in. As I have written before I am the proverbial "jack of all trades" and I admit a master at none of them. I could call myself "crafty" but that takes on a different connotation unless you explain it. When I was young "handy Andy" was a thing and I did get a handy Andy tool set complete with hammer and a real working saw. My grandchildren would watch Bob the builder. My toolbox does contain the tools required for many occupations and as a result no one "box" is complete. 

  Habit or hobby? Well that is sometimes hard to determine. I have a habit of attempting to fix or repair whatever breaks. The one exception to that is electronic things, I generally avoid tampering with any of that. I have learned over the years it is best not to fool around with something you don't understand. It is what I have taught my kids and grandkids. In order to fix something you have to first know how it works. If you don't know that, leave it alone. A rudimentary understanding is often enough to accomplish the repair. Common sense goes a long way in all of that as well. I find it frustrating when I can't "do it myself" and have to hire someone. I'm just not one to stand idly by and watch, even if I'm paying you to do the job. 

  There are times I wish I had a hobby. I figure it has to be satisfying to find that one thing that keeps you endlessly fascinated. It must require a degree of concentration that I simply do not possess. I get bored rather quickly. I'm thinking it must require that level of concentration to become expert at anything. I do have a habit of saying, that's good enough. I'm usually satisfied when whatever it is I'm repairing works again, or whatever I building/crafting meets the requirement. Are my goals too low? Well, that depends upon what I'm trying to accomplish in my opinion. The goal is different based on that. Is it for myself, for someone else or, am I simply being paid to do it. All have different requirements. 

  I also think the psychologists would tell me that it stems from my childhood.  The theory there being that is what my father did and I'm trying to be him. It is true that he was multi-talented in many of the building trades and held a degree of mastery in many of them. His knowledge went far past rudimentary. He did hold actual paying jobs utilizing those skills. If you needed something built or repaired he was the man! He also didn't do electronics beyond checking for a blown fuse and checking vacuum tubes. That is what he was familiar with in his day. He did grow up in a mechanical world. There may some truth in that as I was called little Ben and the expectation was I would be just like him. Many years later, long after his passing, I was told, you are just like him! Thing was, that wasn't supposed to be a compliment. I took as one though. Maybe the head doctors are right. Dad didn't have any hobbies either. He was the Handy Andy of his day. I think maybe you have to be of a certain age to know just who Handy Andy was. He's been around a very long time. Handy Annie joined him later on. 

                                                                               

                                           Vintage Handy Andy tool set. Yes, made for children. 

Austere

  Just heard on the news that Congress is struggling with a spending bill. Nothing new or exciting about that. What I was amused by is a provision in this contentious spending bill for the funding of a pickle ball complex! Yes, the congress is struggling to fund a pickle ball complex as one of its' priorities for the year. Have to get this through before the new administration takes the reins. That damn Trump will attempt to stop that construction, probably divert those funds to building a border wall. Imagine the impact on the quality of life for pickle ball enthusiasts. Clearly this needs to be addressed. Congress needs to act.

  A new year is on the horizon, a new administration in the white house and new challenges to be faced. Oh my god, the humanity of it all. We need a plan to survive. Building a pickle ball complex will go a long way in doing that; will you be entertained? That's the plan distract and deflect. That has always been the Democrats plan, a system of appeasement to retain power. It failed in the last election, and now like a disease, that plan is being treated. The Republicans intent to cut spending! Why they have even established a "office" to study more efficient ways of accomplishing tasks. One item under review is SNAP. The idea would be to have those recipients have to "work" for those benefits. There are those receiving benefits that are fully able to work and they should. Now that isn't appeasing anyone! They even want to end junk food eligibility when using those snap cards. No more chips and dips for you. Man, now that's just cruel and unusual, probably in violation of the constitution. I'm sure there is an amendment that covers that.

  Well I'll just have to leave all that to congress to sort out. I cast my ballot for my representative, I can only hope he or she succeeds in getting my wishes known. I'm going on record right now as declining funding for a pickle ball complex. Buy another section of border wall instead. I'm not real happy with my congressman but I had to choose someone. The lesser of two evils is still evil, but that was the only choice I was offered. Fortunately we have already funded the study determining if Vodka and Tequila make a certain species of monkey more aggressive. Turns out Tequila increased their violence more than Vodka. So I'm guessing we learned if you have to deal with someone drinking a Russian would be a better choice than a Latino person. The Russian dude would start dancing and the Latino dude get violent. Worth the few hundred thousand spent on that research for sure. Good job Congress.

  Fiscal austerity. The scariest words in a Democrats vocabulary. What do you mean? Just how do you propose to keep the people in line unless you can control them? The government will decide what you can and can not have or do. The government will control your pocketbook redistributing that money according to the need. That money will be used to satisfy whatever demographic happens to make the most fuss at the time. Legislation will be passed! And by God if they want a pickle ball complex they will get a pickle ball complex! We can always borrow some more money if there is a shortfall. I'm certain China will "float us a loan."   

  

                                                                               

Crime without consequence

  Listening to the news yesterday for a little bit, didn't really watch the entire broadcast as It can put a damper on the festivities, I refrained from writing about it. The thing was, I heard this reporter doing an interview with some politician regarding immigration. Now this person was saying how we need to protect our borders, and how no one is above the law, and how illegals in the country are indeed a big problem. Yes, very concerned. When asked about the incoming administrations policy of enforcing deportation orders the mood changed. Well, Trump plans to deport everyone, even those that aren't criminals! Just because they are in the country illegally that doesn't make them a criminal! Well, duh, yes it does. The very definition of criminal is breaking the law, engaging in an illegal activity like crossing a sovereign border without proper authority to do so. If you leave your front door open and I go inside your home that is called burglary. In Maryland the charge is based on intent. If you just go inside to admire things and do not break, disturb or steal anything, it is criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. Still a crime.

  I have addressed most topics over the years. This is one that remains a hot topic for me. What I want to know is, does motivation matter? Are good intentions enough to override the law. That seem to me to be the thinking behind a great deal of this stuff. Sure, they crossed the border illegally, broke the law, committed a criminal act, but they didn't hurt anyone or steal anything, so it's alright. Is that what the law says? It's only illegal when you commit additional crimes? Is there a one criminal act limit that I'm not aware of? If I only break the law once I get a free pass on that. Hey, this is the first time I robbed the bank, I should get a pass. I'm not a criminal you know, just short on cash. 

  Punishment is based on the law and there is plenty of leeway in all of our laws. First degree, second degree, third degree, misdemeanors. violations and the list goes on. How many times have you been charged with crimes in the past. How severe where those crimes? What were the circumstances? All of that and more is considered before a sentence is levied. Crossing the border illegally is a criminal act that carries a possible sentence of deportation. Anyone crossing the border in that way must be held accountable. They get their day in court. If they get deported it is because they broke the law!

  As a citizen of this great nation, and a veteran to boot, which law do I get to break without having to face any consequences. Now I haven't broken many, at least I haven't been caught doing so, but I'm getting older now. I'm thinking I may want to use that free pass in the near future. I get one crime, isn't that the thinking? Crossing the border illegally, robbing a bank, speeding or whatever. One crime without consequence. In fact, you can't even call it a crime if I only do it once. That's what I heard that politician saying. As long as it is only one crime, it's fine. No questions asked. 

                                                                

Guarding a memory

  I got up this morning, a Christmas miracle at my age, and grabbed that first cup of coffee. My wife got up earlier and had it ready. No little kids here, no pitty-patter of tiny feet. Morris, my cat did greet me looking for his morning treat. Yes it is low key here, not much different than every other morning. Opening my Facebook page I share my morning salutations. The plan is to go to my sons house about nine or so. He is in a new home this year and that's exciting. Time to start creating memories in a new home. He is expecting his first grandchild next month. That home will become, Grandma and Grandpas' place. They have chosen different names however, I haven't memorized those yet. Seems like a new thing, choosing different names to be called instead of Grandfather or Grandmother. That child can just call me "the aged one" or the "wise one." Really whatever she likes, yes it will be a girl. 

  As I sit here making my plan for the day I am remembering all those that came before. I'm thinking about my brother and sister, my mom and dad, all the grandparents, family and friends. My thoughts turn to those times when I was in the Navy, deployed and celebrating Christmas at sea. One year in particular I remember well. We were deployed unexpectedly in support of Operation Desert Shield. All leaves were canceled and we left just before Thanksgiving and remained throughout the campaign. No one was very happy about any of that, but it is what we signed up to do. Anchors aweigh my boys. Never in any serious danger my ship supplied ammo and fuel to the fleet. We got the seats in the back row. 

  I'm sitting here with my coffee, typing my thoughts, warm and safe. The weather has changed, predictably so as it is winter, and become cold. The warming will come in the spring. My time in the service is long in the past now, I retired in '93. Hard to believe it has been thirty one years since then. As I think about all of that my thoughts turn to the Tomb of the Unknowns. Their memories are guarded  24/7 and have been continuously since July 1, 1937. That is 87 years, 5months and 25 days. A guard is marching there as I sit and write. A guard is there as you open your gifts and enjoy your holiday. Those interred there never made it home, their families look for them still, not knowing. Those "unknowns" represent all those that served in anonymity. The spirits of life, not the mourning of death. For it is like General George Patton said so eloquently, well for him it was eloquent,  “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.” 

 Merry Christmas to all, Happy Hanukah or Kwanza whatever custom or tradition you enjoy. Remember those that are not with us today and do not be sad for them. Include them in your celebrations. You are the guardians of their memories. Do not allow your guard to be lax. 

                                                                                         

A Christmas past

 Being Christmas eve my thoughts just naturally turn to the past. It's a strange thing when those thoughts turn to something you really don't even remember. And that is just the case this morning as I remember when Grandmother Bennett came to our house for Christmas. Well, as I said I don't really remember but I have a picture, proof positive that it happened. It was in 1957, so no photoshop or trickery of any kind involved. I have the original print. Just Grandmother Bennett, myself and my three siblings.

 This was a rare occasion indeed. It is the only time I remember grandmother Bennett leaving her house. Really, I mean that literally. I never saw her outside of her home, ever. Family legend and lore tells of her going to my Aunt Edna's house but that's what it is to me, a legend. Grandmother Bennett, nana, didn't drive or own a car, she didn't work outside of the home, and she she didn't go anywhere. Her groceries were either delivered or Aunt Edna did her shopping for her. When all of that started I can't be certain. I know that her husband, grandfather Horace, passed away on Christmas Eve 1949. Something that was never mentioned until years later. I had no awareness of that as a child growing up. Grandfather Horace was just, gone.

  Nana was the mother of ten children. She came to America, dispatched by her father to care for a sick Aunt. She did so until that Aunt passed away. As a sort of reward she was then sent to culinary school where she trained as a baker. As was the custom back in those days a wealthy family secured her services. While working for that wealthy family she met and married Horace. Ten children and forty years of marriage later she was widowed. She was sixty five years old at that time. In 1949 sixty five was an old lady! Yes, sixty five was near the end of life in those days, socially speaking, for most women. I remember her in her seventies. A typical grandmother, stereotypical even. Grey hair up in a bun, an apron over her house dress, stockings that were rolled to mid calf and slippers. In that photograph she is seventy three years old. She would live to be eighty nine. 

  In 1957 I was just three years old. My sister was five, brother Dan seven, and older brother Harold nine. I've seen that picture so many times that it is almost like I remember that. I do remember some things in the picture like the furniture, ornaments on the tree, and the carpet on the floor. They do seem as familiar to me as the ones in my home today. Strange the things we do remember. I'm remembering a Christmas past, a time when Grandmother came over the river and through the woods to my house! Never happened again. 

                                                                                   

                                            

                                               Dan, left front and myself, fourth from the left, are

                                                the only ones left from this fading photograph.

                                                 And strangely, when I look at this, I don't feel 

                                             sadness, Just Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward men.  

the bottom line

  Starbucks workers go on strike. I keep hearing that in the news. I couldn't care less what they do. They are people that have learned to make a cup of coffee. That's how I see it. They are on the same level as any other fast food worker. If your life goal is to be a barista at Starbucks you really need to accept that reality. It isn't a career. Starbucks has a worth exceeding 99 billion dollars. Ranked number 166th in the world. But who is reaping those profits? The majority are institutional investors. Just people riding the wave of popularity. Let that popularity fade and soon there will be no Starbucks at all. How much and for how long will consumers pay for fancy coffee? As the cost of doing business rises, so too the cost to consumers, that's just how business works.

  Barista is an Italian term for someone that makes coffee, especially expressos. That is all it is, someone that makes the coffee and serves it to their customers. There are no specialized skills involved in all of that. There are no certifications required and anyone can be a barista simply by calling yourself one. The reality is a barista is just a bartender serving coffee, lattes, expressos and other drinks. Yes, some barista do serve alcoholic drinks as well. The strike is about demanding higher wages, less hours and more benefits. It's the same old thought process. The owners are making more money than I am and that isn't fair. I should get more! The owners know one thing for certain however, you can be replaced. And you will be when it is no longer cost effective to retain you. When the return on the investment just becomes too little. 

  Starbucks is successful because of an image they created by clever marketing schemes. It's hip, it's cool and where the professionals hang out. They created this idea that Starbucks coffee is somehow superior to other brands although those that are the real "experts" on that will tell you otherwise. It's a brand name, like all the others. Kleenex means tissues and Starbucks means coffee. I'm old enough to remember when a Lacoste shirt was the thing. You remember them? They have the alligator logo on them. Today it is the Nike swish. Will this image last if the prices continue to increase? Currently a Pumpkin Spice Latte will run you about seven dollars, without the tip. How much are you willing to pay? Eight bucks, nine ? I remember when Keds, Puma and Adidas where the shoes to have? Where are they today? Popularity dwindled and they have been replaced. Nostalgic today. 

  I know, I know, none of that means I shouldn't earn a decent living. I'm a human being and deserve respect. If it wasn't for me the company would go out of business. Well if you force the company to reduce their profit margin enough, you will be out of a job. That's the reality of this situation. Starbucks is not a vital service to the American public. In my opinion you really don't have a lot of leverage. I can go to Dunkin' Donuts, 7-11 or any number of places to get my cup of Joe. And yes, those places will begin offering everything Starbucks has to offer if it becomes profitable for them to do so. That's how it works. Your wage is solely dependent upon profit! It is not dependent upon "feelings" or "compassion." No, it is commensurate with your worth to the company. Make them money and you will be rewarded. Cost them money and you find yourself unemployed. And that is the bottom line. 

                                                                            

Codified diversity

  Diversity is a wonderful thing, something to be celebrated, but there is a truth hidden within, not everyone is right. It's something rarely mentioned, in fact avoided at all costs these days, but it is the truth. No one is to pass judgement upon another. In doing so they are undermining diversity. That is the current thinking anyway. There is an old adage that says, birds of a feather flock together and the truth of that statement can't be denied. It is the natural order of things. In the natural world diversity abounds and species compete with one another. Mankind has taken to calling that the food chain. Humans are in reality, apex predators. The instinct to survive fuels our aggression. Humans have been making spears, knives, clubs and other instruments to subdue or kill other species. It's what we do.

  Diversity today mostly concerns ideology. Ideology is political or economic theories. Having diversity in those areas means there will be conflicts. We all have our own ideas. It's really quite simple to understand, it is basic human nature. It is why I like one thing while you hate it. We have diverse tastes. We're different. See, told you it was easy to understand. The more diversity you introduce into a system the more conflicts will arise. Eventually one group will win out, seize power and control the narrative. It may be called nationalism, socialism or patriotism. Whatever "ism" it becomes one set of ideas will dominate. Following that the other groups will work to introduce diversity once again, calling it inclusion. Everyone wants to be included when something is successful. 

  The problem with inclusivity is that it requires the surrender of moral and ethical judgement. Those are the building blocks of any ideology. You can not establish a standard without embracing ideology. You can't simply change your idea every time a different idea is offered. Recognizing a difference is not a judgement, it is discernment. Judgement is connected to punishment in most cases. That is what we think of when we hear that. We hear that Biblical advice, "judge not lest ye too be judged. " What is that saying? It really isn't saying, don't judge. It is really saying you will be judged by the same standard you applied when judging the other person. That is being inclusive. You will be included in that judgement. What's the saying, "people that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." 

  Diversity is a wonderful thing, something to be celebrated. We should seek new ideas, new concepts. It doesn't mean we should adopt every one of them however. The truth is we must judge those ideas and concepts before adopting them. Just saying an action is "diverse" doesn't make it right. There are some things that simply aren't a good idea. In my experience some of the things that give us the most pleasure, cause us the most harm. A better idea would be to avoid them. And isn't that the idea behind religious practices? A guide to living a productive life that includes the promise of reward. Well the major religions of the world include that promise anyway. The concept is, right and wrong. No matter how diverse the congregation may be there is no diversity in the belief. All are judged the same. You are either right or wrong. That's how it works. 

  Government is based on the same concept of right and wrong. That is the reason laws are established among men. We are all aware of these words, "Man is endowed by his creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The next declarative statement is, "to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men." Government establishes the moral and ethical codes of the nation, of the people. We the people. That our republic was instituted to secure basic human rights is beyond questioning. Indeed it was established by a diverse group on individuals. Composing that document, the constitution, took compromise. It also took about eleven years. The only remaining issue is defining exactly what those "human rights" are. Diverse? Well, you have to decide in the end. Right or wrong. 

                                                                       

Time

  I'm struck by the fact that I'm expecting the fourth generation in my lifetime. What I mean by that is a great grandchild. Now I knew my own great grandfather quite well so you could say I will know seven generations, just that three were born before me. That's quite a span of time. Great Grandfather Floyd was born in 1878. That's one hundred and forty six years ago. Today are my sons' birthdays. Yes, they are twins and are forty nine today. It is also the shortest day of the year, they get robbed every year. I remind them it is only the daylight that is shortest, the day itself is the same length as all the others. Knowing they are forty nine gives me pause, almost a half century! I began thinking about that when I realized if I had purchased a 2000 model year car, I can register it as classic next year. At least in Maryland you can, not sure what other states have to say about that.

  A lot sure has happened since 1878 when my great grandfather was born. But one thing hasn't changed, the Constitution of the United States of America. Yes, there have been amendments, but they aren't changes. The 19th amendment in 1920 gave women the right to vote. Then in 1933 the 21st amendment repealed the 18th allowing the sale of alcohol once again. The first commercial telephone exchange began in 1878. Did you know there was a Salem Witchcraft Trial in 1878. Well, there was. Ultimately the judge dismissed the case. My great grandfather operated a horse drawn taxi service. He also rented his horses out to the town for hauling logs or dragging the streets. Yes, the streets weren't paved back then and required leveling out every now and again. 

 Yes a lot has happened over that time. A lot has happened in the seventy one years I've been around. I'm hoping to be around to tell my great granddaughter all about it. Today we know the gender of the child and have reveal parties. Still, congress and the scientists can't seem to agree on exactly what gender is, confusing that with identity. I'll tell my great granddaughter how we used to tell about pregnancy when the rabbit died. The gender was determined by various methods involving wedding rings or by how high or low the baby was being carried. I'm certain she will get a laugh out of that, just as I laugh about the whole gender argument. 

  Another year is coming to an end. Soon it will be twenty five years after the turn of the century. My great granddaughter will marvel about that. Her grandparents were born in the last century. It wasn't anything I was aware of when I was growing up though. Never thought about my grandparents being born in another century, just that they were old. They were around before electric lights, indoor plumbing and television. Now that was old. I was born in 1953 and we didn't have home computers. I'm thinking that will be the most amazing thing to my great grandchildren. The official "birthday" of the internet is 1983. Personal computers became available around 1977. Everything else I can think of has just been an improvement on what we already had. Well, that's debatable I suppose, it being an improvement that is. Sometimes I wonder .

  You know it's a funny thing. I often sit and think about the good old days. Those were the days of my childhood and young adulthood, for the most part. I think that is the way it is for most of us anyway. The days that were relatively carefree and life seemed simple. Then we "grew up" and things got complicated. Relationships and money! Those are the two driving forces in our lives. We do our best to navigate all of that but often take a wrong turn. My parents would talk about the good old days. It was their childhood they were talking about. Even though they had to walk uphill, in the snow, barefoot to get to school, the times were much better. My grandmother told me the same. Memories are always better than the present. That is, if you allow them to be. Memories are like a fine wine, they have to age. They can be sweet or sour depending upon how they are treated. Each year is a vintage. What's your best year? 

                                                                            

                                            The past always looks better than it was. It is 

                                            only pleasant because it isn't here. (Finley Peter Dunne)                    

Angry

  There are times when I'm angry about things. I'm not always pleased with the way things are in the world. Everything can be so unfair, so hurtful and I feel marginalized. People are just mean. So I write my little essays about that stuff and what I feel the real issue should be. I offer advice and my opinion. Occasionally I wish ill will on others. I know, it's all very disturbing. Still, through it all I have yet to write a manifesto! Well, nothing that is currently recognized as a manifesto anyway. Should I run afoul of the law, or commit some dastardly deed, then whatever I have written would be immediately called a manifesto. Isn't that a strange thing? It is to me. I wonder why the media choses to place such weight on the ramblings and ravings of the mentally disturbed. And you have to be mentally disturbed to do what those folks have done. In some cases that has been the heart of the defense, not mentally competent. Yet, they've written a manifesto.

  Merriam Webster defines a manifesto as, "a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer." I have to say that is exactly what I've been doing for the last fourteen years or so with this blog. I have shared my views, examined my motives, and declared my intentions, repeatedly. That's reassuring because it is proof of one thing, I'm not nuts. If I were they would be manifestos, not blogs. The only difference being I haven't acted on any of my "motivations." I wonder what does motivate those people to act like that, but then I remember, they're nuts. Are they competent? I'd say they are, regardless of any professional saying otherwise. We are all a little nuts. Don't think so? Spend about fifteen minutes reading Facebook posts, you'll be as convinced as I am. Some folks just ain't right.

  I have a problem with the not mentally competent defense. When someone writes about it beforehand, plans it all out and executes that plan, they're competent enough to stand trial. They are also competent enough to receive the same sentence as someone that didn't write about it first. Yeah, that doesn't excuse you from responsibility. There is much talk about "mental health" here in America today. With no real way to measure that, I'm left doubtful. When people choose to do things that were contrary to the normal and expected behaviors they were called, nuts. Yeah, that's the way that worked. If you committed a crime you might be criminally insane but you were still insane. The World Health Organization defines mental health as "mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well." Well every one of us experiences some sort of mental crisis several times a day. Usually we just call that being pissed off. We act out and do stupid things to others. But, we shouldn't be held mentally competent for any of that, should we? Not if you wrote a manifesto you shouldn't.

 This morning, for example, I'm angry listening to them talk about the guy that shot another man in the back. He had a mental health crisis and isn't competent to stand trial. Others have established a "go fund me" account for his legal fees, to validate that defense. I could tell you who I think are donating their money to that nut job, but then it might be misconstrued as a manifesto, should I offend anyone. Let's just say the ones donating have mental issues! I'd keep a close eye on them if I were the FBI. They aren't right. The man shot another man in the back, in cold blood, on a city street and is a criminal. He planned it out and followed through on his plan. That is competent enough for me. I don't care how mad you were, whether your back hurt, or you couldn't "perform" the way you think you should, you are guilty as charged. I have the cure for all of that! Unfortunately the law currently doesn't provide that cure in New York and the cure is on hold in Pa. I'm angry about that, it's a mental health crisis! No it isn't, I'm just pissed off. And isn't that a funny little expression? I'd be far more upset if I was pissed on. Might write a manifesto after that! 

                                                                                     

The cost of love

  It was a question on Facebook. Did you reduce the number of Christmas cards you mailed this year due to the rising cost of stamps? I did not, but commented that next year may be an E-card Christmas! My card list is rather small, just 27 families. Still at seventy three cents per card it was nineteen dollars and seventy one cents. You do have to make sure the cards do not exceed the weight restriction, 1 0z. and that they are "machinable." Yes, it does cost extra if the mailperson has to actually sort the cards and letters manually, you know, do the job. But, that was all started as a cost saving measure, you know automation will save us millions. I was going to send a package but the cost was going to be fifty seven dollars and eighty cents. That was the lowest rate I was offered. I sent it UPS for twenty one dollars and fifty cents. 

 In years past I have "sent" a few electronic cards using Jib-Jab. They are mildly amusing. But the question is, are they as personal? For me they certainly are not. I'm still in the school of thought that hand written correspondence is far better than any electronic messaging when dealing on a personal level. Form letters and such are for business. E-mail is great for business and the advertisers love it. There is nothing personal about any of that. I did grow up hearing, it's the thought that counts. Thing is, that was usually stated more as an excuse than an actual sentiment or bit of wisdom. It is what you said in polite company knowing no one would dispute that. Yes, others must agree, it was a PC statement before there was PC. It's like saying, what a beautiful baby, you have to say that. 

 I do not count the number of cards I receive each year or keep a record of that. My mother did though, writing it down as a reminder. She made sure to send that person a card the following year. She would remove people from the list as well. All that stopped at some point. I'm not sure when or why but in latter years she certainly didn't send out many cards at all. Perhaps it had to do with the cost of postage. I remember hearing about that and laughing. It's only a few cents, what's the big deal! Now I'm at that age, it is a big deal. The cost of the cards themselves is a big deal. Hallmark, when you care enough to send the very best! What's the implication in that slogan. Don't be cheap or don't let other people know you aren't wealthy? Hallmark cards can run as much a five dollars a piece. Twenty seven cards equal one hundred and thirty five dollars. That's a lot of love according to Hallmark.

 Sending cards and letters is getting to be a quaint tradition from the past. Almost nostalgic these day. I confess to not writing many cards or letters myself, but occasionally I will. The reason is the obvious one, it is much faster and easier to use social media or e-mail. Practically free and instantaneous. That's a combination hard to beat. I have found that printing off a hard copy of that isn't quite the same though, it just seems like business when you do that. I have heard of people saving text messages on their phones, reading them over again sometimes even after the person has passed. In the old days some people saved letters or cards for much the same reason. Still, a hand written record is far superior in my opinion.

  I do not save cards or letters. I've known people that did having boxes full of those saved over the years. I will normally keep then for a week or so before disposing of them. I do have a birthday card my grandson gave me many years ago. Inside is five dollars, taped securely. I have not disturbed that in any way. I understand how much five dollars was to him at that time, he was maybe eight or nine. He cared enough to give the very best and it touched my heart. Occasionally I "find" that card and smile. It is the only card I have ever saved. I do enjoy receiving those cards, knowing that others are thinking about you is always a comfort. The sending of Christmas cards is a fine tradition. I read where that all began with Sir Henry Cole who commissioned the first commercial produced Christmas card in 1843. A hundred and eighty one years is a good run. Will e-cards replace that? Well, they just might next year if the postage keeps rising! 

                                                                             

                        Then and now. 7 cents in 1843,  73 cents today, but todays stamps are forever! Well, 

                         until they get the next increase. 

Common sense (once again)

  I've got a feeling that we, as a nation, have gotten into somewhat of a rut. I base that more on what I have been writing about over the last fifteen years more than anything else. Mixed in with my random thoughts and memories there has been social commentary. I realize that social commentary is from my perspective and is often not in line with what the media reports. I view that as a sort of different view on history for anyone reading these postings in the future. I surely wish I had the thoughts of my grandparents and great parents in regard to "current" events as they witnessed them. I'm quite certain they would differ from whatever I was taught in school or written in scholarly papers. What is colloquially known as, the common man. 

  The rut we are in concerns the use of common sense. We, as a nation, have been abandoning that at an alarming rate in favor of the "science." It is what we are pressing upon our children. Don't be influenced by what you see, what you hear, or what is obvious, fact check first. Find the scientific proof to validate those observations if at all possible, if not, write a thesis about it. Science isn't always right, but it is better than being wrong. When the science doesn't agree with reality, trust the science. As an example take the reaction and response to covid. 

 A vaccine was produced in record time. Now this vaccine didn't prevent you from getting covid, and it didn't prevent you from spreading covid, but it was mandated anyway. People lost their jobs for non-compliance. We are still being urged to get "boosters" because well, the vaccine doesn't really prevent you from getting covid or spreading it. Was any common sense employed? None that I saw anyway, just a knee jerk reaction and the pharmaceutical companies making a great profit. We do have an excess of ventilators now, so that's good. Well except the science tells us intubation often leads to further complications. There is also this thing being called long covid. I wonder if all those vaccines and boosters aren't enabling that, the science is silent on that possibility. 

 Another prime example is the whole immigration thing. Common sense should tell you you can't just allow everyone and anyone to enter your country. Beyond all else, common sense should tell you that isn't a good thing. You lock your doors to keep people out of your house, not to lock yourself in. Leave the door open and see how long others respect your property. We have immigration laws for a reason. We have set limitations on that and those limitations should be followed. There are currently 1.3 million people that have have had their day in court and ordered deported. None have been yet. Common sense should tell you that is wrong and they should been deported immediately. If you receive a judgement in court how long do you get to wait before the sentence is imposed? How many years?

  We are in a rut. I find myself discussing the same topics over and over again. The whole assault rifle thing. Makes no sense at all. But the rifle is black and has a pistol grip and is scary looking. Well, here's the science on that. It is a semi-automatic weapon with the same rate of fire as every other semi-automatic weapon every made. No more deadly or dangerous than the person that uses it. Left unattended, sitting in the corner, even fully loaded with the largest clip of ammo possible, it won't assault anyone. That's a scientific fact. Trust the science, well except in this case, then never mind about that, it's scary. And, you don't need that! You need a vaccine though, whether it actually works or not! 

 I'm not going to list a bunch of things that defy common sense, people with that are already well aware. Common sense sure does trigger a lot of people that feel they are "educated." They have learned so much they can just ignore the truth altogether. There is always some exception to the rule. It only takes one abnormality, one aberration to justify supporting all of that fully. Anything to avoid being perceived as mean, or lacking empathy. OMG, I have to feel so sorry for you because that's how you feel. 

  Here's the thing. You can't avoid the truth. You can alter it, ignore it and attempt to create a new reality but the truth remains, the truth. The truth is denial is the path to success. It isn't being empowered, it is acting on the truth. The truth is, we can't afford to take in the world, we can't cure or prevent every disease or ailment and we can't prevent people from doing crazy stuff! Truth be told there isn't much we can do about anything when it comes down to it. The best thing we can do is use common sense. Let's try that for a while anyway. Yeah, it will hurt some peoples feelings when they discover the truth, but it'll be worth it. Truth is, you can't be taught common sense, either you have it or you don't. 

  I haven't the words that Thomas Paine had nor his ability to write a convincing essay. But he wrote of "common sense" in explaining why the American people should rebel against Britain. Historians argue he did more to get that rebellion support than any other figure. He was a fiery speaker and essayist, no doubt that. Today he would be called a radical by the left, just as he was by those loyalists back in his day. It was his "common sense" that forged the America we have today and I'd suggest we return to that same "common sense" to preserve it. 

                                                                                 

                                                    Author of Common Sense 

The problem

  Once again I'm hearing about a school shooting. This time it was a young girl with a handgun. The "ban guns" people are screaming once again, insisting that will solve the problem. If no one has guns, no one can shoot anyone. Yes, that's true, but with an estimated 393 million firearms in the country that isn't going to happen! The idea that it would is just ridiculous. Some are saying just ban the ammunition. Again, another brilliant plan. The public owns, as a estimate, a few trillion rounds, could be more. Yeah, stop selling bullets, then no one will shoot anyone or anything. Well, because if we make something illegal, no one will break the law. And no one knows how to make their own. And they wouldn't be able to if they did, we will ban selling anything associated with doing that. Just ban it all! We will ban the books that tell us how to do that! Now, there's the answer! Ban all information concerning firearms in book form or digital form. Just ban it!

  Of course the government should keep and bear arms, how else can they control the public? The government, and the government alone will determine who gets shot. You can still elect whoever you want, that wouldn't change, but after that there is nothing you can do. Try to protest, just try it. Get your sticks and stones, bricks and bottles, we have the guns. What is your defense? Well, it is the second amendment to the constitution that is that defense. That is the reason for it, plain and simple. The only thing you are really voting for is who controls the guns. Maybe the ones currently controlling that won't want to give them up. What are you going to do about that? Call them names, say they are mean and that you feel marginalized? It's very distressing. 

  Here's a news flash for you, you can purchase anything you want if you have the money. Yes, even things that are illegal! I know, it's shocking to think that there are those that would sell illegal products. And those products don't even have to be made in this country. It is possible to buy illegal items from foreign sources. How are we going to ban gun sales worldwide? No one, except government forces, can own, buy, sell or trade in firearms. It's a global thing. A new world order. I'm certain everyone will agree to that. I'm certain no one would break that law. Guns would virtually disappear from private ownership. Back to sword fights. Well, maybe we should ban those while we are at it. No blade longer than three inches allowed. The Federal Switchblade Act of 1958 does prohibit the: Importation of switchblade knives, Interstate commerce of switchblade knives, and Mailing of switchblades through the U.S. Postal Service. They are not illegal to own or carry.

I'm certain not one switchblade knife has been imported, transported across state lines or mailed since.
That act was passed by congress due to public pressure. Hollywood was showing youths in leather jackets using those switchblade knives. Something had to be done to curb the violence. If you can't import them, take them across state lines or mail them, that should stop it. Hey where would some teenagers get those dangerous weapons? No sense saying they are illegal to own or carry though, they already have them. I guess back in 1958 congress still had some common sense left. No one was going to turn in their switchblades. And the thing was, they were available and would remain available to anyone with a desire to own one.
 As far as stopping these school shootings there is little that can be done beyond increased security and
screening. It is the lack of accountability that is at the root of this. Morality and religion are closely
related but independent of each other. It is accountability, punishment that is the deterrent. Immediate
punishment is the strongest deterrent of all. When the perception becomes there is no punishment
only self gratification or satisfaction, there is nothing to stop the person from acting. Without fear of
reprisal or accountability, without any belief in the soul, only self interest motivates the person. It all
begins in the home. That is where this has to be addressed. It begins with the family. A man, a woman
and their children. Mutual love and respect for one another. It is the only way we learn to love others.
The state of the American family is being reflected in society. That's the problem.

                                                                                     

Uniform

  It appears to me that we, as a society, have lost a bit of formality. Everything is getting casual. The way we greet each other, the manner in which we dress, and how we take our meals. Perhaps that all began with the invention of the TV dinner. According to several sources that all began in 1953 with left over turkey. The story is a salesman realized there were 250 tons of frozen turkey left over from Thanksgiving and came up with the idea as a way to sell them. Next thing you know they are selling those snack tables and we're eating in the living room. Today dining rooms are something too formal for most homes, replaced by a family room. TV dinners are still around, but mostly replaced by home delivery these days.

  Consider how we greet one another these days. How often do you hear anyone call another maam or sir? Do you see people extending their hand in greeting strangers? Do you see anyone addressing a stranger. No, the best you can expect these days is a nod of the head to acknowledge that they even saw you. That, I suspect is just to let you know you are being watched! It pays to be aware these days. Saying excuse me or pardon me while passing in front of someone at the store or whatever is something rarely heard. Do the gentlemen offer their seats to the ladies? And don't get me started on the use of pronouns. Well, as I said, things are a bit casual these days.

  I was thinking about this again on Saturday while watching the Army/Navy game. They were interviewing a General. What I noticed about this General was his hat. He was wearing what I assumed to be the regulation cover, that's what the military calls a hat, a cover, at least the Navy does anyway. This Generals hat was squashed down on the sides. Now, that used to be something you would see in WW2 movies. The pilots would have their hats that way from wearing them with their headphones on. It's looks cool, gives you that seasoned, veteran look. 

  I get that, we had a few things like that in the Navy as well. The way you shaped your dixie cup was one of them. Not regulation and you didn't wear them that way for inspection but when you hit the beach that was cool. Key chains hanging from your beltloop is another, not regulation. All buttons buttoned, that's regulation as well. For formal occasions none of that was allowed. Anytime you were in the public eye was a formal occasion! For that reason that General wearing his hat in that fashion stood out to me, what kind of example is that? 

  I've noticed that the wearing of berets in the last few years as well. Seems like everyone is wearing a beret in the military. I suppose it gives you that "tough guy" look, like a green beret. They are getting very stylized that much is certain. Also quite informal in my opinion. Like wearing fatigues everywhere these days. In my day you couldn't wear your "working" uniform off the base, you had to be dressed appropriately, in the uniform of the day. Yes, that was a thing. There were rules and regulations to follow. You didn't get to just do your own thing. Although, I admit we did make certain modifications to those uniforms to make them look cooler. For us sailors it was usually liberty cuffs, a tailored tunic that zipped up one side and the shaping of your white hat. Many were custom made in Japan, Spain and other countries frequently visited by our ships. You could have a uniform custom tailored and ready to go in a few hours! Yes, I had one.

  The objective in all of that was the adherence to discipline. Discipline, formalized behavioral actions. The proper rendering of honors, like a hand salute and the formal addressing of your superior officers. In the Navy, you remove your cover indoors. They don't call them the uniformed services because we are wearing a uniform! They are called the uniform services because we are expected to perform our duties in a uniform manner. That includes the wearing of the uniform. 

  Of course I'm old enough to remember when lots of folks wore a uniform. The tv repair man did, the gas station attendants did, the milkman, the postman and the police. They were a source of pride and let you know their profession right away. The fast food places carry on that tradition which, if you think about it, is ironic as it was tv dinners (fast food) that began the decline in that formality. The only other one that pops to mind is Progressive insurance, they wear an apron for some mysterious reason. Home cooked insurance? 

 Well, things change over time. There are things I did that my parents thought were outrageous behaviors. I went to church without wearing a tie! My mother was shocked to see other ladies in church without their gloves on. I've seen stores open on Sunday! Kids today may call their parents by name. I didn't know my mother had another name until I was like five years old, and knew right away to never call her that! Looks to me that the military is getting a little loose in the discipline department. At least that is my take away from that generals appearance on national television. That isn't the way your cover is supposed to look General! Who do you think you are, one of the Black Sheep pilots? 

                                                                       

 

What we had

  We all have our own ideas, conceptions, misconceptions and perceptions of the world. When I was growing up I heard a lot about the people that "had money." I came to understand that meant anyone that had a larger income than my parents, or managed their finances differently. People that had money got the things we didn't have. Well, that is the purpose of money, to get stuff with. The struggle in life is having enough money to get the stuff you want while paying the bills for the stuff you actually need. A part of that was learning to "do without."  That could become a source of pride if handled correctly. It falls into the it's the thought that counts mentality. The thought matters to you, but maybe not so much to the other person, their fault, not yours. 

  As a child growing up in a working class family with three siblings we often had to do without. Thing was, the majority of the time we didn't know that. It was all perfectly normal to us kids until we heard or saw what others had. Fortunately birds of a feather tend to flock together and the other kids we knew where doing without as well. It was only in school that differences could be observed. That is where those misconceptions and perceptions entered the scene. The clothes they wore, what lunch money they had and the latest cool stuff they were allowed to do. If you had money, you followed the latest trends. It's very difficult to be cool if you don't have money. Those kids in the Mickey Mouse club all had money. If you belonged to a club of any kind you probably had money. Well, unless it was 4H, that's for poor people, but still, mostly poor people that own a farm and have animals. I had a dog. He was just a mutt with bum leg that I got for my 5th birthday. Dad later told me he paid two dollars for him. Turned out he was priceless, but I didn't know that then either.

  Christmas and birthdays. Those were the times that those that "had money" became more noticeable. Those kids had elaborate birthday parties and got all the good stuff for Christmas. I remember being invited to a few of those birthday parties. One in particular stood out. This kids' parents took everyone bowling! Now that's having money! Paid for it all, shoe rental, the games, food and drinks. Must have been twelve or so of us there. Afterward we went back to his house where he unwrapped his gifts and showed us what he got. A party like that and gifts, must have money for sure. When we came back to school after Christmas break we would hear all about what everyone got. I was always excited and happy with whatever I got under that tree. Don't get me wrong about that, I was never disappointed.  Yes, I was aware of what those "with money" got but was never jealous of that or bitter in any way. Good for them.

  All of that was before credit cards and all these programs to make purchases over time. Yes, there was Sears and Roebuck, Spiegel and Montgomery Ward. You did have to get approved for credit with those companies and many did just that. I was aware that Santa Claus shopped at Sears. But credit wasn't as free and easy as it is today and many folks didn't want credit either. Many people still felt like if you can't afford to pay for it right now, you really don't need it. Being in debt wasn't a normal thing, it was something to be avoided if at al possible. Today just the opposite is true, how much credit can I obtain. There are even companies promising you a do-over if you go bankrupt. No shame in that game.

  There are always those things, those toys we wanted as children, that are simply too expensive for our parents to provide. I admit nothing springs to mind as far as my childhood goes. I got the bicycle and the tonka trucks! Fact is, I don't remember ever really asking for or wanting anything one thing in particular. I honestly only remember a few items I did receive. Those Tonka trucks top the list. My String Ray spider bicycle is another and the last thing I remember getting for Christmas from my parents. There are other toys that stand out but I don't remember when or how I got those. One thing I never did have was a pedal car. Now those were for the kids that "had money." Dad brought home a pedal tractor once. It had been run over by a car and had a bent axle. He was going to fix it, but never did get around to that. Well, I just did without.

                                                                              

                                          This is from my wife's family Christmas. I figure they "had money."

                                           You had to "have money" to afford a ride like that!