New Likes and Loathes

Hi! I'm back. I have been gone for a while. It has given me time to ruminate and have something to talk about.

Let's begin with medications. We are inundated with new medications with clever commercials and catchy names that have nothing to do with the real drugs involved. Let me give some of my own.

Justaskme,  a drug that if you'd ask me I'd tell you to run as far away from the prescription as possible.

Youbestupid, you would if you wanted any of the side effects associated with this drug.

Worseoff, yes, you can't improve with this prescription.

None of these would ever be sold over the counter because then the drug companies couldn't charge outrageous prices.

I want to develop an app for people's phones so they can see how many lights don't work on their cars. It would take a picture of the non functioning light and post it on Facebook so everyone could see the  car whose owner doesn't occasionally inspect their vehicles.

Some final thoughts.
Live PD is a very good show.
Nothing like eggs from our chickens
I can actually say that since we got chickens I am really hen pecked
Hens make great pets
Life has been good
I still love Florida
I miss typing on a typewriter
I miss changing my own car's oil
I don't miss cutting my lawn
Social media is good for one thing  finding something you lost
Having a wife is good but having a wife who is also your partner is great

R- E- S- P- E- C- T

Respect is a word that has been forgotten in these troubled times. These times are troubled by the lack of respect present in our society. Respect is a two way street. If you give respect then you have the right to expect it also. If you don't give respect to others' titles, ranks, and positions then you should expect no respect in return. I try to respect others and their views. The citizens of our country have chosen to lose respect for people who have different views from theirs. They have broken off friendships, insulted their parents and have convinced themselves that they, self righteously, have the only correct opinion. They think that one's political beliefs define the whole character of an individual. It is impossible to overlook this opinion. Don't worry about all the character flaws every one has.  This one is a deal breaker. Don't be my friend anymore. Your values are so flawed, how could I associate with you? Oh wait! These criticizers don't have any flaws, no warts, no bad decisions in their lives.
No one has unfriended them for some flaw in their character.
All this energy now that the election is over. Where was all this passion during the months leading up to the election.? How many rallies did you attend? How much financial support did you give to your candidate? Did you even vote? If not you need to reevaluate your passion. The world loves to see unions torn apart. Instead of trying to bring the country together it is being ripped asunder. Little children crying in school after the election is over because of despicable parents. Old enough to vote, old enough to have a voice. The Congress is based on two houses with different political parties. All of them speak with respect to each other, respecting diffrent points of view. Differing on politics but working to join the country.
  I will tolerate anyone's political view. I won't ruin a friendship or a family tie because of it. I know  what it takes to have relationships and I don't want anyone that thinks exactly the way I do. I enjoy conversations with differnet points of view. I enjoy the banter. I realize that maybe I'm able to see the other's side points. No one is ever 100 per cent right or wrong.

Intolerance is something that is being fought against on many fronts in this country. It seems funny that the segment of people who want intolearnce to end are the ones who still practice it. Intolerance is something practiced  by elitist people. People who somehow think that they are the superior species. People who don't understand that if you don't give repsect you shouldn't expect it towards you regardless of your title or position.
Finally, anyone who speaks ill or makes any transgression against any member of my family will incur my wrath.

The Blame Game!

Recently there has been a rash of outbursts by young people. I deal with these comments and  dis approvals often. It seems that young people feel that they the right to expound anytime, anywhere and to whomever they want. I know all about the first amendment. It gives everyone a right but not the right to be rude, ignorant and downright disrespectful. It does matter to whom and when comments are made. I do not blame the young people. I blame their parents, teachers, coaches and anyone else who has been neglect in their duty to teach kids to be respectful, know their place and deal with adversity. I am tired of hearing about some one's feeling being hurt. People win and lose everyday and move on. Not everyone gets a trophy or a raise. It's all right to get an honest evaluation to learn and grow from. Our government doesn't endorse all the world leaders but when met face to face are given the respect they deserve as being leaders. It seems that there are too many followers these days and not enough leaders. A narcissistic society breeds nothing but selfishness and conformity. Let's teach our kids to be respectful, well mannered, tough and to become unique individuals.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another Thanksgiving, another reason to give thanks. I give thanks everyday. I look around and see how fortunate I have been. I am especially thankful for my beautiful, loving wife who puts up with everyday and has kept me healthy. She also has taught me what an exceptionally talented, thoughtful and contemplative person she is. I'm thankful for my son and grandson, for all my loyal tennis clients, and my health. I'm thankful that in my later years I have made some wiser decisions. Nice to forget all the stupid, unreasonable ones in the past. I'm thankful I'm old. That I have the values that seem to be missing from today's younger society. I am fortunate to have several pets that have filled my life with joy. So enjoy the day and be happy you're not the person who is negative and does not see that even though not everything is good, there is a lot that is.

The Shell

I have known and met many people. With exception of my wife, I am not still good, close friends with them. I have tried to understand why this is. I do have many peripheral friends. Friends that when you first meet them are anonymous to you. My peripheral friends have a shell. The few that I have allowed to have that shell cracked to expose the inner person have been close friends for a while. Once the stuff of life starts oozing out the friendships starts to wane. The family members come to light. The relationship with the spouses becomes apparent. The dynamic issues in the family interferes with the relationship. I am not as lucky as other people. I find it difficult to to feel the same about someone once the shell has been broken and the yoke is all out. I love the adage "No one see you like someone else". It is that perception that is really the most important. I do care about the person that I project to others. Not that other people's opinions are always the most important but I would like the image that I have of myself to be close to the one that I show my acquaintances.

The Shell

I have known and met many people. With exception of my wife, I am not still good, close friends with them. I have tried to understand why this is. I do have many peripheral friends. Friends that when you first meet them are anonymous to you. My peripheral friends have a shell. The few that I have allowed to have that shell cracked to expose the inner person have been close friends for a while. Once the stuff of life starts oozing out the friendships starts to wane. The family members come to light. The relationship with the spouses becomes apparent. The dynamic issues in the family interferes with the relationship. I am not as lucky as other people. I find it difficult to to feel the same about someone once the shell has been broken and the yoke is all out. I love the adage "No one see you like someone else". It is that perception that is really the most important. I do care about the person that I project to others. Not that other people's opinions are always the most important but I would like the image that I have of myself to be close to the one that I show my acquaintances.

Why the National Anthem?

In light of recent news of people and athletes not holding their hands over their hearts during the playing of the American National Anthem and others sitting down during it's playing has led me to this blog. All day there has been commentary on why the National Anthem is played at sporting events and other occasions. They question the value of playing it even though many of the participants and guests are not American. They don't understand why. Well, I may not be the most flag waving person, especially abroad but this I understand. After 9/11 there was a wave of patriotism in the United States. God Bless America had begun to be sung at the seventh inning stretches at baseball games. That wave, to my knowledge has not ebbed. When the Anthem is played it is on American Soil at an American event. Regardless if some of the participants are not American they are lucky to be playing in America for American teams. I also believe the same respect should be paid to foreign anthems played the United States. I don't buy the feeble excuses that someone forgot or was caught up in pregame practice. You are in the United States, Honor The Anthem.