May observations !

May flowers have bloomed, summer is around the corner and it's time again to get things off my chest. Let me start by saying that I am doing this cold turkey. I do not have a bottle of water or a cup of coffee on my desk. It seems if people do not hydrate every five minutes they'll dehydrate and implode. I don't know how I ever played outside as kid without something to put in my mouth. My park was at least 20 minutes from my house without any water.  Maybe I didn't survive and this is  just a dream. I never thought I would have more than a dozen of anything but now I have fourteen hens. Truly one of nature's wonders. An incredible, edible egg from a hen. Little things mean a lot to some people like Harold cathing a ball in all four outfields.  I love change. I love challenges. Each change means leaving something behind. I know and have my rule that you can never go back and that what has been left behind will see you in a different light. Some will understand what you have done, others will resent you, and others will eventually maybe do the same thing. Status quo is bliss.
It is interesting how many of my friends find me living in the country a good topic of conversation now. I guess we get tired of talking about prostates, chemo, and who made up these uneven teams. I hope everyone has a good summer. Keep that bottle of water close by and I'll talk to you soon!

What I've learned from Game of Thrones

Hi! Been away awhile. I watched the first episode of season six of Game of Thrones, got hooked, and watched the first five seasons on Demand. Now I've caught up and I have to wait like everyone else for the next episode. My wife likes it too but finds it too bloody. I guess I am like most people when you see a lot  of something you become numb to it. So it is with the violence and nudity in the show. Oh yeah look another head rolls, another boob, what a surprise he killed his parent. What I have learned is that honor is one of the most important things. Kings, Queens, Lords and Ladies never had to prove they deserved the title, just coming of a womb was enough. Political correctness thankfully didn't exist. People called a bastard a bastard with no ramifications. The word was not mightier than the sword People did read and write and even knew how to read cursive writing. Those who couldn't showed a real eagerness to learn. All this without core testing in the schools. Finally, what everyone has learned from Game of Thrones is that Women still rule with intellignece and guile. See not much has changed. Thank you for educating and entertaining me so much!

New Year Observations!

Well a new year is here and I'm glad I came along with it. I have had some thoughts pop into my head and since the space up there is limited I need to air out a few of them.

I am deeply saddened by the recent passings of David Bowie, Alan Rickman and Glenn Frey.  I have liked all of them but it is more personal because they are my contemporaries. I literarily grew up with them and followed their careers. We are all the same age and anyone's demise does affect me.  I remember when I taught high school the announcement would come over the PA system that a teacher had passed away. Even if I wasn't close with that person I always shed a tear outside my classroom for them. You can't share a space with someone and feel nothing when something happens to them.

The word Available has become of interest to me. I hear that wifi is available. My friends are available. Discounts are available. The list goes on. The problem with the word is that people take it as a definite. Sure wifi is available in GM cars if you pay for. My friends are available if they have the time. Discounts are available if you have the coupons and they haven't expired. It is a word that implies one thing but means sometimes the opposite.

Once again the award season is upon us. Golden Globes, Sag Awards, People's Choice, Grammys, Academy Awards, Tony Awards. Why can't just the best be nominated the awards regardless of race or creed. Someday it may all be a diverse group of nominees. So be it.  The word Best means above all others not pretty good.

Lastly this became evident with the film The Martian. Classifying it as a comedy just so it could garner an award was gratuitous at best and downright silly. An embarrassment for the foreign press awards.

So This is Christmas 2015

So this is Christmas 2015. Still warm and toasty here in Florida. If it wasn't for all the over the top lawn Christmas displays you wouldn't know it was the Holidays A time for traditions, gatherings, parties, and gift giving. The popular conversation is to remember what Christmas is about. You know keep  Christ in Christmas. But now we have elves on the shelves, menches on the benches and other pagan anomalies. I have my traditions. I always watch "It's a wonderful life" and some version of the Christmas Carol. I do though try to remember the people I hold the dearest. I try to remember them at this time of year because it is at these special times of the year that they know I love and respect them. It's not the gifts or the cards but a heartfelt wanting them to know that I have appreciated thier love or friendship. This is what Christmas should ne about.

A Conversation With Don Krzan. Nice to Have You back!

 Q. Hi Don! Nice to see You again. It's been six years since we last talked and this is a good opportunity to catch up on what's been happening in your life.
 A. Well it's great to be here again. I thought one interview was great but when your producer called and said you wanted to do a followup I was very surprised and flattered.
 Q. Are you still in Florida?
 A. Yes, I am. We recently moved to a new house that has 1.35 acres. Nice to own a bigger part of the earth.
 Q.Must be a big responsibility to maintain such a big house and property.
 A. Actually as I've grown older I have learned to delegate more. I have a lawn service and a handyman who both do good jobs and are reasonable in their rates.
  Q. How is your wife and I dare ask your family?
  A. My wife is still a 10. She has been very busy with her ETSY business. She makes Chef knife cases and other products that are very successful. She loves her new home and now raises Hens. My family consists of my son and grandson. They live in northern California. I still have no contact with my daughter or my two other grandsons. I still find parents who have their kids as their best friends somewhat weird and definitely dysfunctional. No parent should ever rely on their kids for anything other than respect and love.
  Q I'm sorry to see things haven't improved.
   A. That's OK. I am resolute that I have done the best I can.
   Q. Are you still writing your blog?
   A. Yes, I still write a blog. I had a brief hiatus with all the moving but I am back writing. It always surprises me how often it has been read. It seems this interview is the most popular read. I appreciate anyone taking the time to read it. I have some friends from a softball league I play in read it and give me feedback.
 Q. Well now it's time to ask those  famous questions from the actor's studio. Are you ready?
  A. Yes, looking forward to answering them because I know my answers have changed. I know they have changed because I am not the same person as before. I notice that I never stop evolving. The more I continue to learn the more I have been molded into a new person.
Q. OK What is your favorite word?
 A. Healthy  I never tire of hearing that word from my doctor. When people are sick earlier on in life they want dearly to be healthy. I have been very fortunate to be healthy but like any gambler I know someday my luck is going to run out. I want to be the person that takes it not with "why me" but thanks for all the healthy years. Now lets fight whatever it is .
 Q. What is your least favorite word?
  A. Unfair. Nothing in life is fair. You can complain about unfairness or do your best to overcome bad odds and then the success is even sweeter.
 Q. What turns you on?
 A. Watching two elderly people enjoying just the simple act of holding hands.
 Q. What turns you off?
  A. The lack of appreciation and respect that people give to others. I especially cringe when children show a lack of appreciation or respect for their parents. Absolutely horrendous. I thought the First Commandment was Honor thy mother and Father. As I said, the first not the tenth.
 Q.What is your favorite curse word?
 A It has to be "Fuck me"
 Q.A Sound that you love?
  A. A Please and Thank You! always sound like music to my ears.
  Q. A sound that you hate?
  A.  A son or your daughter questioning the authority of their parents.
  Q.What profession would you like to do?
  A. I still think acting is a great profession. Getting paid to be Walter Mitty would be great.
  Q. What job wouldn't you want to do?
   A. A questioner at a presidential debate. Impossible to get an answer to your question.
   Q And finally what would God say to at the pearly gates?
    A. I'm sorry you had your doubts about me.
Well that's it for now. it has been a pleasure to talk with you again. I hope you enjoyed it again.
Yeah, it's been fun. I enjoyed it very much. I know I have changed since  last time we spoke. I would like to think I'm much more laid back and but I know I have become very less tolerant of bad behavior towards me or my wife.

Decisions of an Aging Man

Now is the time in my life and my friends' lives that come the real tough decisions of aging men and women. Not which pair of skinny jeans to wear, beard or goatee, Vegan or Sushi but real decisions that have to be made and many take all of our life's experiences to make. One of the first to be made is do we really want to go through more medical tests. We have been probed, poked and tested to death. Sure a new discovery brings anxiety but also trepidation. So maybe I'll wait and see this time. I have been spared this dilemma but dread the day it comes. Some of us are finishing careers and wonder what to do next. My wife and I always know something will always come our way. You just have to be open and willing to try something new. I know change is really tough but easier than the alternative. Those of us who have kids worry about them but most are young enough to take care of themselves. It's our beloved pets that many look ahead to make sure they are well  cared for. My will, insurance, and any thing that has been coveted  by my heirs will not be forgotten when we're gone but our poochies will be. I'm lucky to have a loving wife and I know she has made these decisions much easier for me. Every one should be so lucky.

Hey Stranger!

Hey Stranger! Haven't heard from you in a while. Well I've been busy with a new house, a new truck, and new problems. But I'm back! I haven't stopped thinking about things just no time to sit and expound. Let me start with apologizing to my father and every other World War II Vet. I didn't understand why he acted the way he did at home. It was because of my ignorance. No one knew about PTSD. Knowing about it now and it's effects explains a lot. It makes me sad to think of how all those men could have been helped but weren't.
 Today is Thanksgiving and I do have a lot to be thankful for. First of all, my wife Lea. The person who has kept me healthy, happy and I would like to say sane but I know differently. I will always look at things from a different perspective than others and that is good. We have a good life with a slew of pets and a few good friends.
 What would a blog be without a few rants. Gee I miss these rants.
People should never give advice if they aren't willing to take some.
Politicians don't need six debates. Just more opportunities to say something stupid.
Fargo is the show on TV.
I would never do something I suck at.
I know that the man I am today took 66 years to develop.
How come some people never grow?
The old saying is true. Once someone starts to verbalize their displeasure about something or someone the truth comes out and the road to separation is on it's way.
Parents have lost the will to discipline children.
Not every kid deserves an award. People lose but are the better for having lost and then later won.
People easily forget the little things other people do for them.
Debts unpaid are never forgotten.
I still would rather talk to someone on the phone than in a freaking text or email. Let me hear that voice and get things done in one call.
I have heard the stupidest questions about inviting people for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Common sense is passé. I would rather hurt some one's feeling than ruin every body's else occasion.
Sorry it took so long to get back. Won't be that long again.