Friday, August 8, 2014
Health Nuts
I have many friends that are what I consider Health Nuts. I use that term affectionately. Actually, they are very health conscience and attempt do all of right things like eating properly and nutritiously as well as exercising. I often comment to them, “You health nuts are going to feel mighty silly, someday lying in bed, dying of nothing.Some of them spend a good deal of money shopping at the local health food store. They are very careful to buy organic whenever possible. While I am not fully on board with the everything must be organic religion, I commend them on their efforts. As with most comments like this you know there is a “But.”
I enjoy doing research on the computer of whatever project is on my mind. For example, I have recently done research on DIY (do it yourself) water features for our back yard, DIY birdhouses and various gardening projects. Yesterday I was looking at information on non-stick versus standard cookware. Within this research was the warnings against aluminum cookware and the possible adverse health effects it can have on the body. Because I have never been able to use a anti perspiring deodorant because the aluminum ingredients causes an adverse reaction, I started looking at DIY deodorant. I came across this interesting website - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyiLGR5msLU.
On this site, the fellow discusses the various ingredients in many of our household products that are, or possibly may be, detrimental to our health. It is an interesting site.
So…….. back to my health nut friends. As mentioned, they spend big bucks shopping for organic foods. It seems there is a concern they might be ingesting chemicals used for fertilizing crops or insecticides used to kill bugs. Then there is GMO. I won’t get into the GMO (Genetically modified organisms). Don’t get me wrong, I am not against taking extra precautions when it comes to the quality of our foods and other household products. The intent here is to suggest many health nuts are selective about their “organic” lifestyle. What follows is a few examples.
For a number of years I suffered from a condition called Cough Variant Asthma. This is a condition in which, when I was having episode, I would have an extreme dry cough. These coughing fits would often prevent me from a good night’s sleep or wear me out coughing throughout the day. Almost anything would trigger a coughing attack. Perfume, smoke and even moving from a warm area to a cool or cold area. It was miserable.
We have some very good friends that are extremely health conscience. Many times we would go for a visit. The lady is an immaculate housekeeper and a great hostess. As with Bonny (my wife) she would have scented candles burning throughout the house. They would trigger this asthma situation causing coughing attacks. I had to ask Bonny not to burn these candles around the house whenever I was having an attack. All of this got me to thinking, we spend a lot of money on healthy, organic fruits and vegetables in order not to induce chemicals into our system, and then light candles made from paraffin which is a by-product of the petroleum industry. Within these paraffin candles is some sort of scent material. This scent may or may not have any negative effects on the body. So anyway, we don’t eat bad stuff but have no problem inhaling it.
Another example: About three years ago I was researching (on the net) how I might get oil or grease stains out of my work shirts. I had seen where baking soda had a lot of cleaning uses and was looking at this product. I came upon a web page called No-Poo. The no-poo stood for no shampoo. They suggested replacing shampoo with baking soda. I gave it a try and it really works and has for almost three years. It should be noted, I have very fine and extremely oily hair. This no-poo method works even better than the many shampoo’s the various hairdressers and my dermatologist have recommended over the years. As an added bonus, it has eliminated a condition of infected hairs I have suffered with off and on over the years. Bonny tried this method and said it worked for her also, but for whatever reason she is still buying and using all kinds of shampoo and conditioner. I say “for some reason,” but I know the reason. When you put the soda water on your hair, there if no feel of rich suds and lather. We have been conditioned to believe we need that feel. Give it a try. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water. Pour it on your head and message. Rinse and you are done. If you have dry hair, mix a tablespoon of white vinegar and rinse (conditioner). Trust me your hair will be cleaner than ever and after a couple of minutes you will quit smelling like salad dressing.
I got a bottle of Bonny’s shampoo (one of many) and looked at the ingredients. Here is my finding.
Iingredients: Water (Aqua) , Sodium Laureth Sulfate , Lauryl Glucoside , Cetearyl Alcohol , Sodium Chloride , Glycol Stearate , Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Phenoxyethanol , PPG 5 Ceteth 20 , Fragrance , Pentasodium Pentetate , Limonene , Methylparaben , Citric Acid , DMDM Hydantoin , Stearic Acid , Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract , Amino Methyl Propanol , Hexylcinnamal , Linalool , Wheat Amino Acid , Hydrolyzed Soy Protein , Butylphenyl Methlyproprional , Citrus Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract , Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract , Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
Some of these I know. Water, Sodium Chloride (salt) and maybe a couple of others. The rest may be just fine, I don’t know. I guess we can be comforted in the fact that there has probably never been a death certificate issued indicating the cause of death as being hair shampoo
Anyway, I mixed up a batch of the home brew deodorant discussed on the aforementioned web page. This stuff is all natural. I will be able to tell if it is working if I don’t notice my friends attempting to stay upwind from me. If it doesn’t work, I’ll just eat it.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
New Beginnings
Wow, I noticed I have not posted anything since 2010. I have been wanting to have some type of a simple journal of my activities and so I'll give this a try.
A great deal has happened to Bonny & me since 2010. I'll skip the boring details and launch into the equally boring current time. Over the past six months we have sold our mobile home park in Durango, Colorado and due to tax issues bought two more parks, one in Cortez, Colorado and one in Apache Junction, Arizona. What a ride that was. First there was the need to report to the prospective buyer of our park all information he requested. Then there was the need to find and research all information to purchase the other two.
But alas, that is behind us and we are settling into the month to month activities of the two new parks. A few days ago we decided to take a mini vacation to get away from it all. Having already been in Arizona setting up the park there, we headed for Tombstone, Arizona. Actually, Tombstone was a focal point, not necessarily a final destination. Yesterday, February 15th., we visited Tombstone. As with most old mining and cowboy towns, the commercialization made the visit a bit disappointing although the visit to Boot Hill was interesting. The primary reason for this trip was a shake down trip in our newly acquired motorhome. Things went well with the motorhome so it's about time to head back to Colorado. I will post from there.
Monday, June 7, 2010
The Word We Use
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 9:19am
Some may find words and terms of this blog to be offensive and that is what this is all about - "offenses." I would encourage you grit your teeth and read past the first few lines in order to get a sense of what I am attempting to convey. The Webster dictionary defines offense thus:
1 - Something that outrages the moral or physical senses
2 - The act of attacking : Such as the offensive or attacking team in sports
3 - The act of displeasing or affronting
b: the state of being insulted or morally outraged
4 - Aa breach of a moral or social code : sin , misdeed b: an infraction of law ; especially : misdemeanor
In my little diatribe here I want to discuss how a term has taken on a life of its own. Specifically the word "Politically Correct" or incorrect as the case may be. This word seems to have replaced the word offensive but only in certain circles. In an internet search I discovered any number of articles defining the entomology of this word. One such article claimed it came from Mao little red book while others claim it was birthed by the Republican party and yada, yada, yada. It seems the gist of this word relates to comments, writings and speech in a derogatory manner toward certain groups of people, specifically those of another race, gender, sexual persuasion and or even a persons physical characteristics. You don’t say "he is a fat slob", you can sat he has an eating and hygiene, disorder. All this correctness or incorrectness is determined, it seems on situational ethics.
As a white male I dare not use the term nigger. That is totally not PC (politically correct). This is a derogatory term toward a person of a particular race. Now I do not use this term. My reasoning is based on good manners rather than an attempt to be PC. The term does have the connotation of demeaning and a search of the word bears out this fact. However I recall reading, as a young boy, Mark Twain’s, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. In his books there was a character called Nigger Joe. As I read with rapt interest these novels I not once saw joe as being anything other than another hero of these classic books. Nor do I to this day.
As I commented earlier I do not think that word should be used by reason of good manners. At the same time I believe good manners dictate even people of the black race should exercise those selfsame manners. Which brings up some other words that should not be used in the company of others nor anytime. It is interesting in our society today the N word is unacceptable and yet a certain four letter word starting with the letter "F" has infiltrated our everyday environment with very little regard. This word is probably as, or more, offensive to a vast majority of society than the "N" word and interestingly enough seemingly used by the black community a little less judiciously than others. Note here I can refer to the "N" word and the "F" word and we all know what the words are but we dare not say the word. In fact many today and sadly some in my own church use Frig or friggen to replace the "F" word. What is that all about?
The bible speaks of Satan and his ways as being seemingly true and yet a lie. As Christians we are told to resist the devil and his ways so why would we endeavor to use words that have the same meaning as those unsavory words in society? Could it be it because we do not take the time to exercise good vocabulary skills? I think so. I recall years ago when Bonny & I drove truck together. We were at a company safety meeting in which a number of men and only a couple of ladies were present. One of the male drivers was discussing something and used the "F" word. To Bonny’s credit she turned to this man and said "I’m going to buy you a dictionary!" When the man asked "Why?" she exclaimed "because you have such a limited vocabulary!" Do we all need dictionaries..... or.... perhaps a book on manners? I believe we should take stock of our conversations and adjust where necessary. The bible declares "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." If we refer to another person in a derogatory or demeaning manner maybe we should take a moment to ponder why and if there might be a more intelligent and proper way to respond.
Another scripture from the bible book of Proverbs states "answer a fool according to his folly and you will become like him." I have always looked at this scripture to indicate you shouldn’t stoop to a foolish mans level as in so doing you have become like him.
There is an advertisement I use to hear on the radio that started out with "you are judged by the words you use." I think this is true. It is hoped the words I use do not place me to far up on the vocabulary lacking meter.
Bud
Some may find words and terms of this blog to be offensive and that is what this is all about - "offenses." I would encourage you grit your teeth and read past the first few lines in order to get a sense of what I am attempting to convey. The Webster dictionary defines offense thus:
1 - Something that outrages the moral or physical senses
2 - The act of attacking : Such as the offensive or attacking team in sports
3 - The act of displeasing or affronting
b: the state of being insulted or morally outraged
4 - Aa breach of a moral or social code : sin , misdeed b: an infraction of law ; especially : misdemeanor
In my little diatribe here I want to discuss how a term has taken on a life of its own. Specifically the word "Politically Correct" or incorrect as the case may be. This word seems to have replaced the word offensive but only in certain circles. In an internet search I discovered any number of articles defining the entomology of this word. One such article claimed it came from Mao little red book while others claim it was birthed by the Republican party and yada, yada, yada. It seems the gist of this word relates to comments, writings and speech in a derogatory manner toward certain groups of people, specifically those of another race, gender, sexual persuasion and or even a persons physical characteristics. You don’t say "he is a fat slob", you can sat he has an eating and hygiene, disorder. All this correctness or incorrectness is determined, it seems on situational ethics.
As a white male I dare not use the term nigger. That is totally not PC (politically correct). This is a derogatory term toward a person of a particular race. Now I do not use this term. My reasoning is based on good manners rather than an attempt to be PC. The term does have the connotation of demeaning and a search of the word bears out this fact. However I recall reading, as a young boy, Mark Twain’s, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. In his books there was a character called Nigger Joe. As I read with rapt interest these novels I not once saw joe as being anything other than another hero of these classic books. Nor do I to this day.
As I commented earlier I do not think that word should be used by reason of good manners. At the same time I believe good manners dictate even people of the black race should exercise those selfsame manners. Which brings up some other words that should not be used in the company of others nor anytime. It is interesting in our society today the N word is unacceptable and yet a certain four letter word starting with the letter "F" has infiltrated our everyday environment with very little regard. This word is probably as, or more, offensive to a vast majority of society than the "N" word and interestingly enough seemingly used by the black community a little less judiciously than others. Note here I can refer to the "N" word and the "F" word and we all know what the words are but we dare not say the word. In fact many today and sadly some in my own church use Frig or friggen to replace the "F" word. What is that all about?
The bible speaks of Satan and his ways as being seemingly true and yet a lie. As Christians we are told to resist the devil and his ways so why would we endeavor to use words that have the same meaning as those unsavory words in society? Could it be it because we do not take the time to exercise good vocabulary skills? I think so. I recall years ago when Bonny & I drove truck together. We were at a company safety meeting in which a number of men and only a couple of ladies were present. One of the male drivers was discussing something and used the "F" word. To Bonny’s credit she turned to this man and said "I’m going to buy you a dictionary!" When the man asked "Why?" she exclaimed "because you have such a limited vocabulary!" Do we all need dictionaries..... or.... perhaps a book on manners? I believe we should take stock of our conversations and adjust where necessary. The bible declares "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." If we refer to another person in a derogatory or demeaning manner maybe we should take a moment to ponder why and if there might be a more intelligent and proper way to respond.
Another scripture from the bible book of Proverbs states "answer a fool according to his folly and you will become like him." I have always looked at this scripture to indicate you shouldn’t stoop to a foolish mans level as in so doing you have become like him.
There is an advertisement I use to hear on the radio that started out with "you are judged by the words you use." I think this is true. It is hoped the words I use do not place me to far up on the vocabulary lacking meter.
Bud
Only Two Models
I have discovered over the years there is virtually only two models of anything. Before I get in to my reasoning for believing this I would like to explain why I find it necessary to share such valuable information with you. I designed and built our home over four years ago. Because we had decided on hydronic (floor heated by water pipes underneath) I did a lot of research on water heater/boilers. I settled on a model that was the latest, high efficiency, stainless steel, nothing ever goes wrong with it boiler. It lasted two years.
Now we all know there are always those products made on Friday in which the factory line worker left something off, didn’t tighten something properly or did some other shoddy work in anticipation to the weekend ahead. This company was Johnny on the spot in getting me a new boiler and it was almost plug and play so I was able to install the thing myself in short order. Ahhhh yes, hot water once again providing for those hot invigorating showers and that wonderful warmth for our home these cold winter months. Just imagine, you crawl out of bed and walk barefoot across a toasty warm floor to immerse yourself beneath that almost to hot spray in your shower. Yep, life is as it should be.
That is to say life was as it should be. You can imagine my surprise when on Thanksgiving day I awoke to a cold floor and even colder shower. You can read about that incident in the previous post. Now being the mechanical genius, sex symbol, bon vivant and all around nice guy that I am, I proceeded the day after Thanksgiving to repair this fail safe boiler of mine. I knew it was an igniter problem. How did I know? There was a little light blinking on the panel that said "YOU HAVE AN IGNITER PROBLEM!" So down to the boiler store to pick up a new igniter. I even got an extra one for backup. Two days later it’s back to the store for more igniter’s. You know something is amiss when the people at the store know you by your first name and when they see you driving up have your parts already at the counter with the invoice made out.
Now I’m no dummy (an opinion on which I have been unable to achieve consensus) so I decided it was time to secure the help of a professional. Maybe that little blinking light on the panel had been misinforming me. The technician showed up today and one look at his face when he saw my ultra high tech, cutting edge water heater/boiler spoke volumes. After an expensive survey of the problem I was informed that - no.... I did not get another Friday misfit I was the proud owner of "THAT MODEL" which brings me to my conclusion that there are only two models of anything. There is THIS MODEL and there is THAT MODEL. It doesn’t matter what you buy there is only THIS MODEL & THAT MODEL. Here is how it works. You walk into the store, showroom, discount center or wherever to purchase a widget (this represents whatever it is you are buying) the sales person approaches you and asks if he/she can help. You indicate your old widget seems to be on it’s last leg as you bought it 35 years ago. At this point you are informed widget technology has come a long way. "We have the top models of every widget ever made" you are told. "Even last years top of the line widget can not compare to THIS MODEL" you are informed. Not being an impulsive buyer you spend time on the internet or the (gulp) library researching widgets and discover THIS MODEL is indeed cutting edge. So it’s back to the store to lay down your yet to be earned cash in the form of a plastic card.
It has to be the longest drive home you have ever made because you are enjoying such excitement and exultation there is no way you can not stop and show all of your friends your one of a kind find. Why do they have that smirk on their face? You wonder. But that’s OK you’ll have the last laugh when they get to experience all your widget can do. And then it happens, there is some sort of problem with your widget. You take it back to the store and for some peculiar reason can not find that widget expert that sold THIS MODEL. You ask to see a widget technician and when you show him your widget he exclaims "oh yeah.... THAT MODEL... we have had a lot of problems with THAT MODEL." You further learn the iron clad warranty was valid only as long as the widget was in the original box with all of the seals unbroken. And guess where that warranty is. You guessed it .... inside of the sealed box.
So there you have it, two models. The THIS MODEL which is sold as the best ever and the THAT MODEL as in "we have had a lot of problem with THAT MODEL."
Now that I have discovered I need to replace my water heater/boiler (widget) the biggest problem I face is not that I had purchased THIS MODEL, it is facing all of my smirking friends.
Written Dec. 2, 2008
Now we all know there are always those products made on Friday in which the factory line worker left something off, didn’t tighten something properly or did some other shoddy work in anticipation to the weekend ahead. This company was Johnny on the spot in getting me a new boiler and it was almost plug and play so I was able to install the thing myself in short order. Ahhhh yes, hot water once again providing for those hot invigorating showers and that wonderful warmth for our home these cold winter months. Just imagine, you crawl out of bed and walk barefoot across a toasty warm floor to immerse yourself beneath that almost to hot spray in your shower. Yep, life is as it should be.
That is to say life was as it should be. You can imagine my surprise when on Thanksgiving day I awoke to a cold floor and even colder shower. You can read about that incident in the previous post. Now being the mechanical genius, sex symbol, bon vivant and all around nice guy that I am, I proceeded the day after Thanksgiving to repair this fail safe boiler of mine. I knew it was an igniter problem. How did I know? There was a little light blinking on the panel that said "YOU HAVE AN IGNITER PROBLEM!" So down to the boiler store to pick up a new igniter. I even got an extra one for backup. Two days later it’s back to the store for more igniter’s. You know something is amiss when the people at the store know you by your first name and when they see you driving up have your parts already at the counter with the invoice made out.
Now I’m no dummy (an opinion on which I have been unable to achieve consensus) so I decided it was time to secure the help of a professional. Maybe that little blinking light on the panel had been misinforming me. The technician showed up today and one look at his face when he saw my ultra high tech, cutting edge water heater/boiler spoke volumes. After an expensive survey of the problem I was informed that - no.... I did not get another Friday misfit I was the proud owner of "THAT MODEL" which brings me to my conclusion that there are only two models of anything. There is THIS MODEL and there is THAT MODEL. It doesn’t matter what you buy there is only THIS MODEL & THAT MODEL. Here is how it works. You walk into the store, showroom, discount center or wherever to purchase a widget (this represents whatever it is you are buying) the sales person approaches you and asks if he/she can help. You indicate your old widget seems to be on it’s last leg as you bought it 35 years ago. At this point you are informed widget technology has come a long way. "We have the top models of every widget ever made" you are told. "Even last years top of the line widget can not compare to THIS MODEL" you are informed. Not being an impulsive buyer you spend time on the internet or the (gulp) library researching widgets and discover THIS MODEL is indeed cutting edge. So it’s back to the store to lay down your yet to be earned cash in the form of a plastic card.
It has to be the longest drive home you have ever made because you are enjoying such excitement and exultation there is no way you can not stop and show all of your friends your one of a kind find. Why do they have that smirk on their face? You wonder. But that’s OK you’ll have the last laugh when they get to experience all your widget can do. And then it happens, there is some sort of problem with your widget. You take it back to the store and for some peculiar reason can not find that widget expert that sold THIS MODEL. You ask to see a widget technician and when you show him your widget he exclaims "oh yeah.... THAT MODEL... we have had a lot of problems with THAT MODEL." You further learn the iron clad warranty was valid only as long as the widget was in the original box with all of the seals unbroken. And guess where that warranty is. You guessed it .... inside of the sealed box.
So there you have it, two models. The THIS MODEL which is sold as the best ever and the THAT MODEL as in "we have had a lot of problem with THAT MODEL."
Now that I have discovered I need to replace my water heater/boiler (widget) the biggest problem I face is not that I had purchased THIS MODEL, it is facing all of my smirking friends.
Written Dec. 2, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Cow Poop Gasoline
November 21, 2008
While driving to town the other day I heard, on a farm report, about some great news (accordingto the report) concerning animal waste. It seems some research organization has developed a system whereby they can take animal waste (poop) and convert it into gas or alcohol that can be used in generating heat or running an automobile engine. There seemed to be a great deal of excitement over this development but it got me to thinking about what was done with all of that waste in the past.
I recall back in my high school days in Sandy, Oregon when my cousin Dick and I used to spend a lot of time working on a dairy during the summer. Even back then this dairy farmer, Mr Amsted had a conveyor apparatus that would move the waste from the barn and dump it into a manure spreader. We would then hook the tractor to the spreader, take it to the field and it would fling poop across the land. Actually this spreader was called a fertilizer spreader. So we were actually fertilizing the ground (can you say think green?).
So now we have technology to turn this poop into gasoline for our cars. What do they fertilize the crops with? Another thing Dick and I learned back then was you had to fertilize the crops that produced the hay that fed the cows that produced milk and fertilizer. The milk went on our cereal and the fertilizer? I already discussed that. So what do they fertilize with now? Commercial fertilizer. And where does this commercial fertilizer come from? If you said cows, you are wrong. Nope, that commercial fertilizer comes from oil. You know, that stuff used to produce the stuff we burn in our car. So now we will generate gasoline from poop and use oil to fertilize the crops that feed the cows. Ain’t technology great?
Ah-ha you say. We’ll make the gasoline from corn and soy beans and eliminate the middleman (cows). Great idea but corn and soy beans can’t grow without fertilizer. Can you say oil? Now of course this is an over simplification of the matter. Even back in my dairy farm days we had to supplement the poop with commercial fertilizer but the point is, is this really breakthrough technology? I venture to guess someone or many someone’s are enjoying the benefit of some sort of Government grant. Call me critical.
There is a word bandied about these days called synergy. This word refers to the combination of various elements and how they work together. There was a certain synergy between the cows, corn and milk. The corn feeds the cow. The cow produces milk and poop. The milk nourishes the farmer to spread the poop to grow the corn. So if you notice you have poured poop onto your cornflakes, there is a good chance there is milk in the corn field. Probably the result of a dyslexic farmer.
It just seems to me researching things like the suns rays (solar), wind, natural gas, nuclear and even the ocean waves would be money better spent than turning crops into gasoline which to my understanding is a net energy loss. By this I mean it takes more energy to produce that gallon of gasoline than a gallon of gasoline produces. Speaking of energy loss. Think of energy as heat. That is precisely what it is. Heat! Notice when you start and run your car it produces heat. In fact you need to run water and a fan to keep the heat controlled. So energy and heat are one and the same.
The big rage these days are electric cars. Just think if Los Angeles had nothing but electric cars there would be no smog. Nirvana in the eyes of some, but where does that electricity come from? Primarily the Northwest and it’s coal fired electric generating stations and hydroelectric dams . So the electricity is generated by burning coal (heat loss) that runs the generators (heat loss) that sends the electricity across the wires to L.A. On this trip there is heat loss all along the way. When it gets to L.A. you plug your battery charger into your electric car to charge the batteries. Did you know battery chargers give off a lot of heat (energy) while they are charging? Notice, all auto battery chargers have a small cooling fan in them. So good old L.A. is finally clean but what about that small town in Oregon or Washington with the coal plant? Soot everywhere. We have just moved the smog from one location to the other.
Back in pristine L.A. your job is 57 miles away (a short drive in L.A. and your super electric car gets 40 miles per charge so you had better plan on a couple of hours each way for a quick charge. Ain’t technology great? God forbid that we should consider anything but electric cars. Folks, the battery technology is not far enough advanced for electric cars yet. If we were to put more research into solar and have solar panels on our cars it would help. Just help. I think for now we should look into natural gas, solar and nuclear energy and put most of our research money there. Forget cow poop and electric cars.
Concerning "Green". A couple of Oregonians were traveling to California years ago. Upon entering California they saw this big sign that read "Keep California Green." One Oregonian turned to the other and said "OK, we won’t tell them anything."
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Stick it to em.
November 8, 2008
I was listening to the radio a couple of days ago and heard a report of an item inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. Wow, how do you decide what toy should be in this hall of fame? Just think back of all of the great toys in your life, your children’s life or even as recent as your grandchildren’s life. I mean sheesh, there are whole stores dedicated to just toys, to say nothing of toy sections at the big department stores. Combine these with the internet and there is no shortage of getting those little darlings inside vegetating in front of or with some mind numbing toy. What a great way to keep them out of the way while you go about your daily activities.
My mother had a different approach toward me and my three brothers during those young formative years. It most often went something like this. Mother would say "you boys go outside and play" we would respond "ahhh, there’s nothing to do!" At this point mother would return our complaint with a phrase that we had heard so many times you would think it should have been permanently imbedded in our psyche. But alas these four boys needed this daily refresher of the way things are. Mother would say "you go find something to do or I’ll find something for you to do!" This command by mother would often be followed up by mother calling one or the other of us (whoever went out the door last) "Buddy (example) you come back here and open and shut that door ten times until you learn how to close doors without slamming them!" Of course being the second oldest and biggest of the boys I would let mother know my feelings toward the whole process by saying "yes ma’am."
So there we were four boy’s outside ready to conquer the world of play. And what do you think was our toy of choice? Now you need to understand here, we are not yet into the computer age so Game Boy was 45 or so years away. This letter will probably be read by some who do not even know who Pac Man is so let me try to put things in perspective. Home computers were not yet on the scene. Nor were there calculators. As a matter of fact we didn’t even have dial phones. You picked up the phone and a live operator would respond "OPERATOR" at which time you would inform her of the three digit number you were calling such as "223" and if the line wasn’t busy you could talk to your party. Of course you were on a party line meaning three to five people shared the same phone line so if any of them were on the phone you had to wait. But I digress.
Needless to say, by today’s standards these four waifs were extremely abused, ejected from the shelter of their own home and standing in the broiling sun with not even a bicycle to fight over. So what might they do to survive? The one toy they had an abundance of was that very same toy that would fifty some odd years later be inducted into the "Toy Hall of Fame" a stick. Not your super animated, high tech, solar powered ninja toy. Just a stick. Maybe a reasonably straight limb that had fallen from one of the eucalyptus trees in the yard or a highly prized, old broom or mop handle or perhaps an old lath from one of the deteriorating buildings nearby. But from wherever it came, it became a magical and prized toy for a young boy of the day. The transformer toys prized by kids today pale by comparison to a stick. With some of my sticks I have been transformed from a dirty faced little boy into the Lone Ranger riding my great white horse Silver and fighting the black hatted bad guys (my brothers) riding their own sticks. I might even find a chicken feather, stick it into a string headband and be Tonto (the Lone Rangers faithful Indian companion) for the day. I would even have my turn as the bad guy. Fights among the motley cast of characters would often break out as to who would get what role. The set director (Mother) would often settle the issue with "take turns."
Imagine this, a group of boys running around the yard with the stick between their legs dragging on the ground behind them pointing fingers at one another yelling bang your dead! Today if a young boy pointed his finger at someone in school a yelled "bang" he would be expelled. But this stick was not just a horse. No siree. That stick could just as well become a sword in the hands of Zorro a Sabre jet beneath a Army Air Force fighting ace or about anything the imagination could conjure. But most of all that stick was hours and hours exercising not only the bodies but the imaginations of four young boys in the 1950's of Southern California.
I just wonder who nominated that stick for induction into the Toy Hall of Fame? Was it The Lone Ranger? Was it his faithful companion Tonto? Was it Zorro? Or was it one of the bad guys? Whoever it was I would like to put down my guns, get off my horse Silver and shake his hand.
Bud
I was listening to the radio a couple of days ago and heard a report of an item inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. Wow, how do you decide what toy should be in this hall of fame? Just think back of all of the great toys in your life, your children’s life or even as recent as your grandchildren’s life. I mean sheesh, there are whole stores dedicated to just toys, to say nothing of toy sections at the big department stores. Combine these with the internet and there is no shortage of getting those little darlings inside vegetating in front of or with some mind numbing toy. What a great way to keep them out of the way while you go about your daily activities.
My mother had a different approach toward me and my three brothers during those young formative years. It most often went something like this. Mother would say "you boys go outside and play" we would respond "ahhh, there’s nothing to do!" At this point mother would return our complaint with a phrase that we had heard so many times you would think it should have been permanently imbedded in our psyche. But alas these four boys needed this daily refresher of the way things are. Mother would say "you go find something to do or I’ll find something for you to do!" This command by mother would often be followed up by mother calling one or the other of us (whoever went out the door last) "Buddy (example) you come back here and open and shut that door ten times until you learn how to close doors without slamming them!" Of course being the second oldest and biggest of the boys I would let mother know my feelings toward the whole process by saying "yes ma’am."
So there we were four boy’s outside ready to conquer the world of play. And what do you think was our toy of choice? Now you need to understand here, we are not yet into the computer age so Game Boy was 45 or so years away. This letter will probably be read by some who do not even know who Pac Man is so let me try to put things in perspective. Home computers were not yet on the scene. Nor were there calculators. As a matter of fact we didn’t even have dial phones. You picked up the phone and a live operator would respond "OPERATOR" at which time you would inform her of the three digit number you were calling such as "223" and if the line wasn’t busy you could talk to your party. Of course you were on a party line meaning three to five people shared the same phone line so if any of them were on the phone you had to wait. But I digress.
Needless to say, by today’s standards these four waifs were extremely abused, ejected from the shelter of their own home and standing in the broiling sun with not even a bicycle to fight over. So what might they do to survive? The one toy they had an abundance of was that very same toy that would fifty some odd years later be inducted into the "Toy Hall of Fame" a stick. Not your super animated, high tech, solar powered ninja toy. Just a stick. Maybe a reasonably straight limb that had fallen from one of the eucalyptus trees in the yard or a highly prized, old broom or mop handle or perhaps an old lath from one of the deteriorating buildings nearby. But from wherever it came, it became a magical and prized toy for a young boy of the day. The transformer toys prized by kids today pale by comparison to a stick. With some of my sticks I have been transformed from a dirty faced little boy into the Lone Ranger riding my great white horse Silver and fighting the black hatted bad guys (my brothers) riding their own sticks. I might even find a chicken feather, stick it into a string headband and be Tonto (the Lone Rangers faithful Indian companion) for the day. I would even have my turn as the bad guy. Fights among the motley cast of characters would often break out as to who would get what role. The set director (Mother) would often settle the issue with "take turns."
Imagine this, a group of boys running around the yard with the stick between their legs dragging on the ground behind them pointing fingers at one another yelling bang your dead! Today if a young boy pointed his finger at someone in school a yelled "bang" he would be expelled. But this stick was not just a horse. No siree. That stick could just as well become a sword in the hands of Zorro a Sabre jet beneath a Army Air Force fighting ace or about anything the imagination could conjure. But most of all that stick was hours and hours exercising not only the bodies but the imaginations of four young boys in the 1950's of Southern California.
I just wonder who nominated that stick for induction into the Toy Hall of Fame? Was it The Lone Ranger? Was it his faithful companion Tonto? Was it Zorro? Or was it one of the bad guys? Whoever it was I would like to put down my guns, get off my horse Silver and shake his hand.
Bud
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