My Sporadic Journal (Book) http://www.Writing.Com/main/profile.php/blog/planner/action/archive There are a lot of good spots in our house. There's the spot upstairs in my study under the big picture window. If you choose to camp out there you can sit in the easy chair and watch the world pass by from that elevated viewpoint. The Crepe Myrtle trees are big enough now that they frame the windows with scores of lovely purple flowers. And the...[Read Full Post] Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:08:30 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/746765 There are a lot of good spots in our house. There's the spot upstairs in my study under the big picture window. If you choose to camp out there you can sit in the easy chair and watch the world pass by from that elevated viewpoint. The Crepe Myrtle trees are big enough now that they frame the windows with scores of lovely purple flowers. And the...[Read Full Post] Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:08:29 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/746764 I had breakfast with a beautiful young lady today. Her beauty is certainly physical but it extends much deeper to her inner-self, and surely to her very soul. The amazing thing about advancing age is that I am afforded the opportunity to watch a precious life evolve. I am mindful of the great journey my granddaughter has taken thes...[Read Full Post] Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:28:20 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/746360 I have concluded that our attitude in life depends greatly on how we manage the little annoyances in our life. Let's face it, each of us is just a hair's width away from being either a Pollyanna or Grinch. One added little annoyance on any given morning can set the pace for the whole day. Actually, the occurrence of just on...[Read Full Post] Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:44:15 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/743426 A fellow writer, Dennis Page, recently penned an excellent article stating how lucky he felt for finding ViewsHound. His words were eloquent, truthful, appropriate, and garnered agreement and praise from scores of viewers, as well they should. However, they also touched a nerve in me. I've long had a reluctance regarding the word 'luck.' I...[Read Full Post] Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:38:57 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/742372 I understand a Brahma cow has free reign in the Hindu world. Brahmas are treated with respect and permitted to go and do as they wish. They are untouchable-sacred. It appears that the same sentiment is applied in our own country regarding the Social Security program. Running the risk of tampering with this sacred cow and bringing down the wrath of the mu...[Read Full Post] Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:37:53 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/742371 Monday 19 Dec 2011 I'm a little confused. As I watch the news on television I am assailed with the woeful plight of the economy in America. Now, I know these people are not lying to me. When they tell me folks are out of jobs and there are few to be found, I believe them. When they tell me folks are losing their homes and foreclosures are running...[Read Full Post] Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:36:09 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/742370 Sunday 18 Dec 2011 I read an article the other day addressing Internet compulsion/disorder ... or something like that. That kernel of thought has planted itself in my mind and is germinating. I wonder if I am a casualty of such an affliction. Like any addict I disdainfully shake my head and say, "No that's not me. I can stop anytime I want to....[Read Full Post] Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:34:27 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/742369 Saturday 17 Dec 2011 It was not my intent to become a conservative. Like most folks, I hate being labeled. My last article in ViewsHound attests to that. However, I suppose I really am a conservative, which is particularly worrisome in a writing community since it seems the lion's share of folks are liberal minded. Now, don't argue with me abo...[Read Full Post] Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:32:46 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/742368 Saturday 10 Dec 2011 It's difficult to find the proper label for a person. Even though we realize we shouldn't pigeon-hole folks into political categories, we do. Let me see if I have this straight. Most Democrats are liberals, most Republicans are conservatives, most liberals are Occupy folks, most conservatives are Tea Party folks, most li...[Read Full Post] Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:31:17 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/742366 Friday 02 Dec 2011 My best friend has a furry butt. I don't know quite how it happened; but, it did. Over a period of time a bond has developed between an ole fat guy and a big black dog. Since the dawn of time, ever since there have been men and dogs, that bond has somehow formed. I don't know if God ordained it or if it was just too strong ...[Read Full Post] Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:29:08 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/742365 Thursday 08 Dec 2011 I remember my first love. She had long blond hair and was totally devoted to me. I returned her affection. I was about six-years-old and she was a Cocker Spaniel named Sissy. Actually she was my brother's dog. But boys and dogs choose who they really belong to. Sissy chose me; and I knew she was really mine. That began my love...[Read Full Post] Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:24:56 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/742364 Wednesday 30 Nov 2011 I haven't received my membership card yet. I'm not even sure they send them out. I think it just happens to you-becoming a Codger, that is. I mean, one day you're not and the next day you are. Oh, certainly life sends you some little hints. Like the day I went to Golden Coral Restaurant and they charged me the Senior ...[Read Full Post] Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:23:27 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/742363 Sunday 27 Nov 2011 "I think this Super-Committee is as dumb an idea as Washington has come up with in my lifetime...what they ought to do is scrap the committee right now, recognize it's a dumb idea, go back to regular legislative business, assign every subcommittee with the task of finding savings, do it out in the open through regular...[Read Full Post] Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:26:50 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/742362 A sense of dread creeps upon me as I careen into the holiday season. It first rears its ugly head shortly after Halloween, usually after I've finished off the last of the Krackle chocolate bars I hid from the trick-or-treaters. It murmurs "Christmas" to me and nudges me in the ribs as I witness Christmas decorations and merchandise materializ...[Read Full Post] Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:22:15 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/740424 OK, I genuinely feel badly about this. I mean, I feel like I'm letting someone down. But, I don't know what else to do. Our Rotary Club has a program where we display U.S. flags in front of residences and businesses six times a year on special holidays. I've faithfully participated in this program for about four...[Read Full Post] Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:01:26 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/739007 Dreams and aspirations are amazing things. It's hard to really define a dream. I'm not referring to the fanciful nocturnal stories that fleet through our minds during slumber. Nope, I'm talking about the often secret desires of our hearts and souls for our future life. I'm talking about the hopes and wishes for things you most...[Read Full Post] Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:11:34 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/737623 Lawrence Russell Brewer ended his stay on Death Row on September 21, 2011. He was there for the grisly murder of James Byrd, Jr., an African-American man. On a June evening in 1998, Brewer and John King, both white supremacists, attached a chain around Byrd's ankles and dragged him behind a pick-up truck for fou...[Read Full Post] Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:08:25 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/736816 An intriguing concept occurred to me yesterday. No doubt it is not new and I am just slow to realize it. Writing, yes even blogging, is somewhat blind; or at least it has the ability to severely limit the visual image of who the author is. We are all anonymous when we write in here; or at least as anonymous as we want to ...[Read Full Post] Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:33:53 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/735664 Help me remember if I had aches and pains when I was in my twenties. Surely, I did. Tell me this is not a sign of an aging body. Lie to me if you have to. I recently experienced a couple events that cause me to question this thing called growing older. Late Friday night I experienced a discomfort in my ches...[Read Full Post] Sun, 02 Oct 2011 08:54:26 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/735557 Memories are sometimes like butterflies; they flit silently and lazily into your consciousness, often uninvited but welcome. They cause old men to shake their heads remembering the audacity of youth. I know, because a memory filed away in my mind of an event that happened long ago surfaced yesterday. As I thought about that memory, I realized ...[Read Full Post] Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:43:14 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/735140 I've been sick. For the last week or so I haven't been worth a cow-chip at a Frisbee match. It hasn't been one of those "bundle up and go to the doctor" sick things. At least that's not how I see it. Although I'm beginning to get a little weary of Linda arching her eyebrows and rolling her eyes w...[Read Full Post] Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:17:49 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/734631 I'm no different from you. I get a little giddy each time I see I have email waiting for me. Of course, lately I've become discouraged and more than a little frustrated by the seventy or eighty junk emails waiting, having been deposited in my box overnight. I've taken to performing a mass delete on them, saving ...[Read Full Post] Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:14:57 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/733345 There were two heroes in my youth: my dad and my big brother. A boy needs to have strong male figures to pattern his life after. I did the best I could do to follow in their footsteps. As I matured and became an adult, I realized they were less than perfect; and, that was alright with me. I guess I figured it was okay to make a mi...[Read Full Post] Sat, 03 Sep 2011 11:12:07 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/733139 It is a well-documented fact that our bodies change on us as we grow older. Things drop which should be up and sag where they ought to be tight--dang it. At least that is what they tell me. Granting the obvious physical changes assailing our bodies, I've notice we also tend to run out of gas a little faster and gas up a little ...[Read Full Post] Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:04:47 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/732917 "What's that you're doin', Granpa?" "Well, I'm writing a letter to a friend." "How'd you learn to make those funny marks?" "You mean, writing? I'm writing a letter by hand, in cursive. That's what they taught you in school-remember?" "Not me. That just looks like a total wast...[Read Full Post] Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:37:17 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/732355 Just where the heck is Dixie? Well, it depends on who you ask. There are some folks who contend that Dixie represents the land area located south of the Mason-Dixon Line, which is the boundary line between the States of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The states north of that line were the 'free' states and those south were designated the 'sla...[Read Full Post] Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:22:54 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/731852 My father was not a perfect person. He made some colossal mistakes during his life. It took me a lifetime to figure that out. However, in spite of all his mistakes I can say he was a good man. Good men sometimes make mistakes. That is a truth which many of us will learn the hard way, since I've come to realize that none of us are perfect. ...[Read Full Post] Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:37:41 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/731099 Well, I should have guessed it would happen again. I'm sitting here in this big ole house reading about the trips others are taking, vacations in exciting places, restaurants in faraway cities, and beaches on distant waters. I've gottta admit I'm a little jealous. I suppose Linda and I haven't been away on vac...[Read Full Post] Sun, 31 Jul 2011 07:51:00 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/730167 I rejoiced early in the advent of computers when they introduced spell-check, for I am the world's worst speller. I'm much better than I used to be. I have actually learned some of the spelling rules and have mastered spelling some of English's more sneaky words. I confess "i" and "e" still throw me oc...[Read Full Post] Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:22:52 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/728958 Today I sprinted from the air conditioned house to the air conditioned car so that we could eat at the air conditioned restaurant. Now, before you "tsk tsk" me for being such a powder-puff, consider it was 107-degrees F outside today. Yesterday, I recorded a 110-degrees F around 6:00 in the afternoon. Now, I don't care where the heck you...[Read Full Post] Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:42:51 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/728726 I haven't received my membership card yet. I'm not sure they send them out. I think it just happens to you. Like the day I went to Golden Coral Restaurant and they charged me the Senior rate. It took me a while to figure out why my meal was cheaper than my associate's. I realized I just joined the Senior Circuit. Well, it's the same...[Read Full Post] Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:43:40 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/728402 "Mine, mine, mine," that's the mantra of two-year-olds. I know, I heard it enough as both of my children moved through that stage. However, now that I think about it, there are many adults who seem to possess an inability to leave that mantra behind. Well, that's the subject of a future entry. Today's subject is about my dog Max....[Read Full Post] Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:01:12 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/727991 Fireworks streak into the night sky leaving a blazing rainbow of sparks. At the apex of it's flight it burst into gloriously bright colors of red and gold, blossoming across the sky and coaxing 'ooohs' and 'aaaahs' from the people seated on the grass far below. A reverberating boom follows the spectacular sight and...[Read Full Post] Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:03:11 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/727645 There is something magic about touching. I don't know how you define magic, but I know it has something to do with the wonder of unexplained happenings. There are a multitude of touches in my life which can truly be classified as being magic. I remember when my children were very young, infants in fact. I remember standing over the crib of a...[Read Full Post] Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:06:57 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/726973 Perhaps we are in for a little good news. That is if some natural calamity or man-made screw-up does not occur for a while. Stocks, which have been dropping since the first of May, just may be on the verge of gaining a little ground. The NASDAQ-100 is a stock market index listing of the top 100 non-financial companies listed on the New York Stock Exc...[Read Full Post] Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:19:11 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/726848 I very rarely pass things emailed to me on through the email. I consider it an annoyance. However, for once I took the time and read the piece. I remember that period in my life well. While I was safe at home, these brave men in service were forgotten and dishonored by their countrymen. I never spoke against them. My heart broke...[Read Full Post] Sun, 19 Jun 2011 18:20:56 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/726585 The good thing about being a blond is you don't notice the gray hair creeping in at the temples. Since I've got to look at that face every morning when I shave, that little detail is pretty important. I splash water in my face and wipe off the excess shaving cream when I'm finished; I take a good look in the mirror and say, "You good l...[Read Full Post] Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:16:41 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/726134 I try to be open minded regarding the feelings and beliefs of others. For certain, I am not always successful at it. However, it is nevertheless my intent. So, I tried to stifle the patriotic outrage which flushed over me when I heard that Goshen College has banned the National Anthem at its sporting events. Are they Americans? Yes. Is the Star S...[Read Full Post] Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:29:11 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/725830 It must be a southern thing. I lived most of my youth before I figured out folks thought it was sorta funny. Seemed to be natural to me. I never thought for a second being called by two names was any bit odd. But, as soon as I walked the halls of higher learning, where I rubbed elbows with guys from other parts of the country, I began to pick up on ...[Read Full Post] Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:42:15 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/725299 The 19th Century German philosopher, Nietzsche proclaimed, "God is Dead." He was not asserting God did not exist. Not at all, rather Nietzsche was affirming that God no longer existed in the hearts of men. With no real concern as to God's existence, Nietzsche insisted God simply no longer represented the motivating source...[Read Full Post] Sat, 21 May 2011 11:47:20 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/724400 OK, picture if you will, the perfect summer afternoon. Now, hold that in your mind for a moment. If that vision is truly a perfect moment, you will be unconsciously smiling as the rest of your co-workers curiously wonder about that silly grin on your face. I know; I'm grinning now. I am currently experiencing a portion of the perfect summer mo...[Read Full Post] Mon, 16 May 2011 17:10:14 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/724091 OK, this is sort of a weak rant. But, I feel kinda bad about ranting on Easter...like, who rants on Easter or Christmas mornings? I'm sorry, but I can't help this one little rant. I flipped through the TV channels last night, looking for something entertaining to watch, which is getting harder to do. Well, anyway, I found The Ten Command...[Read Full Post] Sun, 24 Apr 2011 09:57:47 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/722916 I like to make lists; and with the advent of computers I've been enamored with data bases. Now, I know that sounds weird. Maybe it's the planner in me-categorizing stuff, taking inventory, organizing...that kind of stuff. Well, like I said, the computer has created endless possibilities to do listings. The most recent culprit has been Window...[Read Full Post] Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:29:54 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/722224 Forgive me, Lord, for not saying thank you. It is a particularly selfish habit I seem to have gotten into. Just like everyone else I know, I've filled my day with stuff, and whiz busily along my daily journey attending to that stuff-never seeming to finish all that I have to do. I suppose I have assumed my busyness gives me license to cut a few c...[Read Full Post] Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:19:49 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/722075 I watched my grandson get an $86,000 haircut yesterday. You'd think that would be quite a haircut. But, he appeared much the same to me when he came out as he did when he went in. Now, don't get me wrong. He didn't spend $86,000 on one haircut; nope, that's what the dang thing cost him. Let me try to explain. He paid twenty-seven d...[Read Full Post] Sun, 27 Mar 2011 11:28:37 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/720675 I could use a spike right now. I mean a sharp increase in the stock market would do wonders for my attitude. Year 2010 actually was a pretty good year for my little stash of nuts, which are snuggly stored for winter. I know, all the economic pundits said it was a rough year. Well not for me. My little portfolio gained about 27%--guess I was in the ...[Read Full Post] Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:09:12 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/720466 Sometime they say it just right. Sometime the words are placed in proper order and the emotions sing with uncanny clarity, enveloping a person in their meaning. I find it amazing that humankind can assemble words into patterns that communicate so effectively. I am not a poet, but there are some poems that do this so effectively even I grasp their sig...[Read Full Post] Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:24:57 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/720275 I'm running with a different crowd now. Actually, it's more like shufflin' along. I don't run anywhere anymore, at least not if I want to be able to breathe. Of course, that is a testament to my poor physical stamina. I keep telling myself I'm gonna lose weight, tone up the muscles, work on the cardio, and improve my diet-Bull!...[Read Full Post] Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:00:32 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/720031 My routine, being a well-trained master, is to walk outside just before bedtime, regardless of the time or the nature of the weather, and sit on the back porch while Max takes his time attending to bedtime chores. The dog is exasperating. Often I sit there or stand there and urge him onward, "Go Max, go tinkle, go boy, go, go!" He in turn sta...[Read Full Post] Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:00:54 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/719887 Does a tree make a noise in the woods when it falls, if there is no one there to hear it? Don't know. But that's the sort of question that drives me crazy. I mean, learned folks will spend hours arguing about it and in the final end...well, who the hell cares? I suppose a sound is not a sound if no one hears it. But, it certainly sends out ...[Read Full Post] Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:10:19 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/719830 I am a procrastinator. Now, please don't recoil in disbelief and cringe in revulsion. Because, if you are perfectly honest with me, you will confess you are too. I like to think, in my state of justification for my own actions, that everybody has a sliver of procrastination embedded in their personality. I hope so because I would certain...[Read Full Post] Sun, 13 Mar 2011 10:20:20 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/719691 As I retired to bed last night I caught a snippet of a news report regarding the ugly political situation currently plaguing the State of Wisconsin. It reminds me of a huge tug-of-war with an extremely long rope-enough rope for every proponent and opponent to get a good, solid handhold. Stretched between the two opposing sides is a vast muddy pit, prom...[Read Full Post] Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:13:29 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/719542 Hey, I guess I'm just pleased someone's taking a look at it. A few days ago I popped in here and asked folks to take a look at my finished novel ( [Link To Item #1752772] .) My concern was that I was too close to the thing and hadn't a clue as to whether it was worth reading or not. Well, that was a couple of weeks ago. When last I looked...[Read Full Post] Sat, 05 Mar 2011 13:04:32 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/719142 Hey, it could happen. I know it is virtually impossible to catch a breath in a vacuum. I mean, that's what a vacuum is-no air. But, there is a part of me that says, "Stuff just happens sometime." I know the laws of physics are against it ever happening. But, that just doesn't matter to me. Weird stuff happens all the time. I mean,...[Read Full Post] Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:00:11 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/718855 "What's happenin' in the world, Grampa?" It was a question my oldest grandson tossed at me as he came in from work yesterday. Of course, it was a purely rhetorical question. He could have asked, "How're you doin'?" or "What's for dinner?" and with equal interest. But, he didn't; he asked about the cond...[Read Full Post] Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:32:52 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/718546 Take it outside--when I was a kid, that was a familiar command issued by my mom. I don't think it had anything to do with me enjoying the glory of the environment. Probably had a lot to do with her maintaining her sanity. But, whatever the reason, it was good advice. And, I did exactly as I was told. In fact, taking it outside was what I did bes...[Read Full Post] Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:52:16 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/718419 Is there such a thing as a "cycle of interest?" I'm sure that some learned soul at some time has prepared a scientific paper noting a cycle of interest associated with the lifespan of an individual. I mean somewhere out there in the academic realm someone has dealt with this. I visualize this cycle of interest graphed as a undulating wav...[Read Full Post] Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:12:12 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/718381 Chapter Two seems to be a problem. What makes me think so? Well, by the magic of the WDC tracking process I can see how many folks have viewed my new book [Link To Item #1752772] . The system tells me there have been 23 view thus far of the book. A further breakdown tells me most folks stopped reading at Chapter 6. The Prelude and Chapter 1 receive...[Read Full Post] Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:26:07 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/718272 I envy the good storyteller. I've heard a few. Actually, my dad was a great story teller. When he told a story you'd forget you were listening. His voice would rise and fall with the story. His hands would dart here and there as the action took place. When he would pause in the story, you'd hold your breath...waiting for it to continue...[Read Full Post] Sun, 20 Feb 2011 11:39:04 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/718181 It's a little bit of a dilemma. This computer age has caused some coordination issues when writing a book. I'm sure Stephen King does not share my dilemma. I'm sure there is a way the "professionals" do it that makes perfect sense. However, I am a rank armature and fully intend on playing my part to the max, doing stupid stuff tha...[Read Full Post] Sat, 19 Feb 2011 13:36:24 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/718133 Does anybody out there remember the "Five and Dime?" Actually it was the "Ben Franklin 5 & 10." It's sorta hard to describe it. It was kinda like a Dollar General store but not as cheap. And it was like Wal-Mart but not so big. It was an everyday general store, without the groceries. You could actually buy things for a nickel an...[Read Full Post] Thu, 17 Feb 2011 10:38:29 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/718001 OK, I know it's Valentine's Day. But, do you see me sending a bouquet of roses, buying a box of chocolates, dropping a bundle on a cute little diamond heart thingy on a silver chain, or even buying a singing Valentine's Day card from Hallmark? Nope-not me. Now, does that mean I'm not in love with my wife or that I'm some sort of in...[Read Full Post] Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:17:00 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/717830 I suppose the greatest daydream of all humanity is that of the do-over. I don't know of anyone who, if they had the opportunity to live life over, would not do it differently. I suppose the game of golf is the only place where the "do-over" is permitted; that is if you are playing with a group of friends who permit it; and most times they w...[Read Full Post] Sun, 13 Feb 2011 10:25:44 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/717757 Well, I'm in the market for a handgun. I don't intend to rob a bank or shoot it out at high noon. I just want a handgun to play around with. OK, I know there are some of my friends who will immediately point out that guns are nothing to play around with. Well, yeah, as a matter of fact they are. There is no reason a responsible person cannot...[Read Full Post] Sat, 12 Feb 2011 20:03:01 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/717687 I like my office chair. It's a boss chair. You know the kind: oxblood colored leather, big padded arms, round brass upholstery nails, high cushioned head rest, action that rocks back and forth, adjustable up and down movement, and all sitting on a big wooden base with five brass rollers. Like I said, a boss chair. Of course, it's the most exp...[Read Full Post] Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:58:59 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/717555 The weather has turned very cold and icy here in North Texas, Linda and I purchased a gift for our Chinese friend, Max got a new bed for his upstairs sleeping spot, and Oh yeah, a man died across the street from us a couple of nights back. That%u2019s right, mixed in with all the day to day stuff we concern ourselves with was a tragedy of life. We huma...[Read Full Post] Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:01:05 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/716976 I know the topics for blogging or journaling, whichever one 'floats your boat', are legion. The headlines are full of topics that have deep political and sociological issues which are ripe for the writing community. I could go grab one of those and wax strongly for a moment, perhaps even getting some "Amens" for my effort. But those se...[Read Full Post] Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:19:49 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/715380 I was not born into the age of technology. Nope, I was born in the fringe. Computers were a strange new gadget capable of wondrous things in the late 1940's and early 1950's. It was an age of the Univac computer and the language of FORTRAN. Only the most brilliant of minds spoke the language and the concept of the computer was a fanciful drea...[Read Full Post] Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:28:30 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/714800 Have you ever felt as if you should say something and to not do so would, in fact, be inappropriate? Well, that's the way I felt yesterday, January 1, 2011, when I began this entry. I suppose being the first day of the year was substantially responsible for that feeling. After all, the first day of a brand new year certainly is a proper occasion t...[Read Full Post] Sun, 02 Jan 2011 11:00:54 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/714536 This has certainly been a different Christmas. For the last several years the loot under the Christmas tree has been sparse to say the least. That never seemed to make any difference to our kids and grandkids. There was always plenty of gift unwrapping to do, and meager as it was, everyone was pleased with Christmas; after all, Christmas is to celebra...[Read Full Post] Sat, 25 Dec 2010 12:46:43 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/714079 "He lays comfortable but motionless; his brown eyes embedded in his coal black coat forever following my every move, trusting, watching, adoring, loving...priceless. My black dog." That's an entry I made on Facebook one cold December morning. It was the caption for a photograph of my dog Max. The photo was one of those spontaneous things....[Read Full Post] Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:18:30 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/713592 Sometime this weekend, while I was sitting back watching a football game, John Lambert died. Sad and tragic as it may be to those who were close to John, his passing will likely not be significantly recognized by the rest of the world. Although he was the very center of someone's world, he was on the periphery of mine. Nevertherless, I will miss h...[Read Full Post] Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:10:44 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/712035 Today is Veteran's Day. The cessation of the hostilities on the Western Front of WWI took effect at 11:00 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Although there were still hostilities present at other areas for a short period of time, for all practical purposes the First World War ended at that moment. It was to be the war to end all wars. ...[Read Full Post] Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:05:20 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/711098 I just finished reading a book written by Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen called Gettysburg: A Novel of the Civil War. It's a pretty good book for Civil War buffs. The thing reads like a historical account of the Civil War, much like the work of Michael Shaara. In fact it wasn't until Newt entered the second day of the battle that I...[Read Full Post] Wed, 10 Nov 2010 09:40:20 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/710913 My dog likes ice. Not to run or play on it, but rather to eat it. Now, I know that isn't an especially nifty trick for a dog-to eat ice, that is. But, it never ceases to make me giggle to watch that silly dog crunch ice. I first discovered he had this thing for ice a couple of years ago when we were walking in the golf course one summer eveni...[Read Full Post] Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:57:26 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/710742 Politics is a sorry topic for a journal entry. First of all, it turns everyone off immediately. You can count on that entry being lonely and unvisited. Second, it does little good to spout one's position since very few folks are receptive enough to change a position or be spurred to action. The best you can expect is for readers of like thought t...[Read Full Post] Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:29:07 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/710403 I'm trying to get a grasp on this thing we call perspective, at least as far as living my life goes. Yeah, I know that sounds like a pretty deep philosophical subject, one that will send most readers screaming from my journal. However, I promise not to get too deep and can almost assure I will not provide a definitive answer-I'll likely just chip the sur...[Read Full Post] Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:51:40 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/709710 I just got off Facebook where I saw lots of references to Political Correctness. Now that is something I am getting sick and tired of. What the heck is Political Correctness anyway? I think the definition is "don't say or do anything that will be offensive to anyone, no matter how much it flows against your own standards." To be politica...[Read Full Post] Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:15:44 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/709479 The 19th Century German philosopher, Nietzsche proclaimed, "God is Dead." He was not asserting God did not exist. Not at all, rather Nietzsche was affirming that God no longer existed in the hearts of men. With no real concern as to God's existence, Nietzsche insisted God simply no longer represented the motivating sourc...[Read Full Post] Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:30:58 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/708812 OK, it%u2019s taken me thirteen years to get a brass kickplate to go on my front door. Of course I could have bought a fancy door with a kickplate on it when we first purchased the house, or anytime after that to be sure. But, I didn%u2019t. Why? Because a fancy door is expensive and I am cheap. Nope, I chose to live with my simple door the way it w...[Read Full Post] Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:36:25 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/707101 Geez, what do I want to be when I grow up? That was a question that absolutely haunted me when I was a kid. I can honestly say I did not have a clue. As a result, I firmly considered I may be one of those homeless guys you see wandering around the streets downtown. I never considered the fact that those guys are usually a product of circumstances, no...[Read Full Post] Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:41:08 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/706911 Sleep evades me at the moment. I laid in my comfy covers, in the dark, and tried unsuccessfully to coax peaceful slumber to take me away in pleasant dreams. But, no, the more I snuggled the more awake I became. Until, eventually, I abandoned all pretense of smuggling and stumbled upstairs to my office and my waiting computer, which I might say was pe...[Read Full Post] Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:33:29 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/706707 This is for my friends at South Hills Baptist Church. Story of the Crosses By Dan C. Boutwell There are some folks walking the halls of South Hills who remember me; I'm Dan Boutwell. I'm one of your absent members who for some reason is wandering in the suburbs as a prodigal. Linda and ...[Read Full Post] Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:45:03 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/706275 Yesterday I posted an entry discussing my grandson's (18 yr old freshman) first college paper. It dealt with the issue of the New York mosque being proposed at ground zero. I determined not to post his paper without his permission. This morning he was excited for the opportunity of receiving feedback from the authors of WDC...[Read Full Post] Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:12:33 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/706173 Last night I had the joy of helping my grandson prepare a paper for a college course. It was only a short position paper related to the recent issue of relocating a mosque planned for ground zero in New York. He was writing it for government class. He was challenged to state his position and relate that to the rights provided by the Constitution. E...[Read Full Post] Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:03:08 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/706043 Have you ever really considered how totally amazing the act of communication really is. Anyone who has had a sick infant on their hands knows exactly what I'm talking about. You know something is wrong but you have no way of communicating. A simple question like, "Where does it hurt?" is frustratingly useless. Well, it's the same wa...[Read Full Post] Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:45:05 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/705982 Today is September 1st. Ever stop to think how many "firsts" we encounter every day? I wonder what we do with them? Are they even noticed? It's my prayer for you that today you have many more pleasant "firsts" than unpleasant ones. Unfortunately, it's usually the unpleasant ones we remember, and that clouds our day. So, I th...[Read Full Post] Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:05:49 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/705080 He's not a bad dog. In fact he's a dang good dog. I could go through a litany of things that he does not do which other dogs do, proving they are problem dogs. Max doesn't do any of those nasty things. However, by no means is he the perfect dog. That's why he has a personal trainer. I want the perfect dog...or at least as close to i...[Read Full Post] Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:02:12 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/704850 Even though I'm from Texas, I'm not much of a cowboy. I don't ride horses; the closest I ever come to a cow is my hamburger. Heck, I don't even own a pair of boots or a hat. I do have an awesome belt buckle, but no belt for it. I'm not a big-city kid either. I grew up in small rural towns across the West, mainly in Oklahoma, exce...[Read Full Post] Sun, 15 Aug 2010 08:53:20 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/703930 I suppose one of the most precious emails I have ever received dropped into my email folder today. Very early this morning, as I was arranging photos in my photos folder, that distinctive chime and pop-up graced my screen announcing I had a new email message. As you know, when that happens, everything else in the universe becomes secondary until you ru...[Read Full Post] Sat, 14 Aug 2010 08:42:52 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/703873 I know Sunday is the official first day of the week. However, I've always felt as if it finished the week. It seems to me like Monday is the first day of the week, probably because it is the first day after the weekend break in our schedules. So it is, my week begins with Monday, which is today. Now, of course, there are a couple of ways to ad...[Read Full Post] Mon, 09 Aug 2010 07:08:52 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/703484 Sometimes I just don't feel like writing. Call it lazy or a lack of a muse, doesn't matter what you call it; the juices just don't flow and the pearls of wisdom just aren't there. At those moments it's best if I do something else-anything else. The muse is just not there and inspiration is hard to muster. I certainly hand it to ...[Read Full Post] Sat, 14 Aug 2010 08:50:33 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/703410 What happened to customer service? Many senior citizens remember customer service, when it really was customer service. Today it appears to be only a link to an excuse. The day where corporate America really cared about providing good service because it was a matter of pride and simply the right thing to do-well that day is gone. Folks used to care...[Read Full Post] Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:47:36 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/703087 They are painting my house. It's been thirteen years since it was last painted; it needs it. I suppose some would say it is a big house. It's two stories and has 3,100 square feet of living space, not including the garage and back porch areas. I know Linda certainly considers it to be big, since she is the primary cleaner of the place. OK, I...[Read Full Post] Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:37:00 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/702575 Is there really magic in my fingers? Depends on your definition of magic. I don't profess to have any presto-digito boloney going on. However, there is an abundance of wonder and fascination as I regard my digits as they zip across the keyboard. What an amazing thing it is to sneak a peek at the screen as the words form and sentences are arrang...[Read Full Post] Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:46:25 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/702518 I'm not sure I posess the skills to write delicately and within the limits of propriety about a subject that is in its very nature crude, rude, and oderous. Yes, I can see the viewers departing this entry like rats from a sinking ship. However, I will try my best to write intelligently and clearly without being too crass. Th...[Read Full Post] Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:23:56 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/702137 Of course I was only a kid. A long time ago, in the summertime, after school let out for summer break I would spend all day outside doing stuff. In the morning, after rising and eating a good country breakfast (thanks, Mom-I really miss those biscuits), I'd hit the ground running. I ran with a gang of kids in those early years. We were all betwee...[Read Full Post] Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:55:41 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/702051 Everybody needs to be the 'go to' guy for someone. You know about the 'go to' guy, don't you? That's the guy that everybody thinks about when there is a problem to be solved...the guy who has the answer when nobody else does. Everyone needs to be that guy (or gal) at sometime. It does a body good to be that person every once i...[Read Full Post] Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:32:38 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/701992 I keep stuff. None of it is really very valuable. All of it has a story. That's what makes it good stuff. Stuff without a story is just junk. I've got a dollar mounted in a small frame. It's a brand new dollar bill...never been used in a transaction. It passed from the bank tellers hand to mine and went straight into the frame. It&#...[Read Full Post] Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:05:47 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/701936