Riders on the storm....

Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out on loan
Riders on the storm

Today's forecast:  Calm... with wind gusts up to 50mph.

Ya gotta love life.  Well, ya ain't gotta, but it helps.

Every Friday afternoon in the Summer, families pack stuff in their SUV's, add screaming kids, suntan lotion - and they leave the God awful frenetic traffic of Suburbia - to plant themselves at the Lake of the Ozarks, where, they will get out on the water in the God awful frenetic lake traffic.  Hurry, let's go.  Hurry, let's ride.  I get tired just watching that.

The old hands, the ones who done raised their termites, the ones who sold their 2 bedrooms too many abodes in Suburbia - purchased a small cottage and a dock slip - will stay the hell off the water from Friday afternoon, until Monday morning.

Then, and only then - calm.  Calm waters.  No hustle, no bustle, no young punks, showing muscle.

I ain't prejudiced, I enjoy both.  Calm.  Hustle bustle.  There's a time and a place for each.  There's a time and a place for a nap.  Ariicle in paper this morning about a nearby college building 'sleep pods'.  They're there for snotnose college kids (said lovingly) to use between 3pm and 8pm should they need a nap.  Just a shade bigger than the twin bed inside, sounds like a good idea to me.  Won't it be just a gathering place for hanky panky?  Whointheheck will wash the sheets?  Ewwwwww. "Only one person at a time allowed.  Rooms are cleaned, sheets are changed after each usage."  OK, thanks.  Calm.  Mebbe even youngsters need calm.

The sale of pills are at an all time high, young folks walking round with their heads in the sky, the cities ablaze in the summer time....  and oh, the beat goes on.

Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul, shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up to soon, politicians say more taxes, will solve everything.... and the band played on.

Life, yep, it's a Ball of Confusion.

Calm.  A Sunday drive.  Two hours with a friend and a cup of coffee on the front porch.  The easy chair with a good book (or, in my case, a handheld with a Sudoku game.)  Youtube, punch in your favorite artist, layback, let them dudes decide which song to play next.

Then again, I love rock and roll, put another ($5 bill) in the jukebox bayyyyybeee.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching 3 grandkids run around like crazy, having a blast - for two hours.  Then, need calm.  I love a T Ball game, or a kids soccer match, where the coach repeats every instruction at the top of his/her lungs, TWICE.  <-- Don't believe me?  Listen next time.  Parents up to the edge of the bleachers with their buttcracks and humility exposed.  Yeah baby.  I (sometimes) like hustle bustle.

Then, time for a nap.

Thunderstruck..  followed by Wonderful World.  ZZ Top... then, Leonard Cohen.... Iron Maiden (did u see where the Senior Citizen couple was sued by neighbors because they wouldn't turn down Iron Maiden?  God Bless 'Em!).... followed by Willie Nelson.

The Zoo on 152...  Richfield Road.  Calm.  Storm.  Storm. Calm.

Pullin up next to ya a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with a 700 HP engine..  an ole' Lincoln Continental on the open road with the cruise set at 64mph.

Life requires both.

The family 4th of July party.  Hearing the warfare of neightbors some 12 blocks away, creating your own mostly permanent roman candle driveway stains.  Followed by telling all, "loveya, drive safe."  Exhaling.  Opening door.  Sitting on sofa. Once frightened hound jumps up in your lap, Classical music somewhat  cranked in the background... ahhhhhh, peace.  Calm.  Preceded by frenetic.  Fingers counted.  Yep, ten.  Time for bed.  No hanky pank tonight, exhausted.

7 seconds left, 2nd overtime.  Their ball...   or... the excitement of curling.  Ha. 

Up, down.  Hurry.  Wait.  OMG.  Calm.

Black Friday, "The doors are opening!"..  getting what you need at WalMart, at 4am.

I mundanely drove into the bank drive up window the other day to cash the check from my part-time job.  "Hi.. howya doing.  Cash please, $20's will work."  Versus, the familiar voice of a fraternity brother who didn't see me in the next lane.. "HEY HEY HEY, HOWYA DOIN?!!" To the teller.  Both work.  Mine was boring.  Eh, is ok, sometimes calm is nice - but too, I loved his excitement for life.

Waking up in the easy chair, the show you were watching long gone.  Waking up from a night fulla visions of sugar plums, "What day is it?"..  Waking up from a nap, "Is that AM or PM?"...

Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown

Life is kinda like dancing.  Both the slow and the fast are good.  Just as long as both entail hugging.

Peace out... or not..

Love, Victurd

If you're Happy and you know it - don't read this.....

I'm not Happy.....

Then which one are you?

Doc?  Oh heavens no, but I do admit to Googling my symptoms upon occasion... Dr. Google can be skeery.. I Googled 'headache' and learned I could have had a stroke, or brain cancer... My shoulder was hurting, Doc Google told me it could be Lyme disease..  My chest hurt, and yep, he said "heart attack or pulmonary embolism."  I actually did cipher (correctly) once I had PAD.  Rooto rootered leg (twice) and away goes blood down the vein (or artery)..  Bottomline, to be Happy (and healthy), go see a real Doc.

Are you Grumpy?  NO I AM NOT GRUMPY, why would you ask?  OK, sometimes I am. I can't help it.  (Victor, you can, trust me.)  OK, mebbe.  I don't wanna be Grumpy, hence, the search today for Happy.

Are you Sneezy?  Well, sometimes.  Mom said long ago "shoulda had your adenoids taken out."  Close your ears, I hate to blow my nose.  It's gross.  I know it's the best thing to do, I just can't bring myself to do it.  So, instead I more aesthetically pleasing rub my nostril with the exterior of my index finger (EWWW) until my nose gets so red I Google red nose and learn I may have Lupus.  VICTOR!  Sorry, kinda.  Victor, please learn to blow your nose.  OK...........mebbe.

Are you Bashful?  Perhaps.  In a large group around the table, at conversation end someone might getup and say "Who was that quiet guy and whatsup with him?"  But, gimme a damn keyboard and mouse and I'm a loudmouth.  Yes, I said it.  If you talk, there's no backspacing.  Yes, I know 'hitting send' is akin to no backspacing, and occasionally I do that, then quickly rethink, DELETE it, then worry for four years about who'd read it before I erased it.

Are you Sleepy?  ALL. THE. TIME.  I Googled that (VICTOR!) and learned I might be depressed, or have the beginning of Alz..  I dunno.  Thinking more positively though, I approach it as, "I'm retired, I'll take a dadgum nap whenever I wanna."  In fact, kinda sleepy now...  brb......


Thanks for waiting.  Victor, are you Dopey?  HOW?  HOW did you see my transcript from my first semester at NWMSU?  YES, I had a 1.6, but I thought I'd burned that when I burned my first marriage certificate???????????????????

OK, not to belittle, or dwarf the conversation, but I seriously Googled, today, how to be happy, what makes one happy ,how to be happier, yada.  There were a lot of nifty suggestions.

Much.  Much today is/can be very depressing.  Shootings (we've lost 89 in Kansas City this year, many of those under 15 years of age.). Politics.  Smooth as silk eh?  Facebook.  Sure, fun, for awhile, or, some of it, but lots makes one wanna vomit.  I ain't bashful to vomit like I am to not blow my nose.  When it comes to upchuck, there ain't no hesitation.

What then Victor?  What makes one Happy?

I am (can be) Grumpy, I am (can be) Bashful, I am (can be) Dopey, I am Sleepy, Like Popeye "I can't be's no's Doc 'cause I'm losing my patience."

Happy?  Here's what this thing called life has taught me.  I DO NOT profess to be an expert, it's all simply lifelong observation.

Happy people smile.   A lot.  Happy people ain't pigeonholed... ie, they come from all walks.  All colors.  All religions (or no religion).  All countries.  All heights, weights. Money (or not) don't matter.

Happy people tend to compliment others.  Happy people generally don't share their woes.  Happy people don't talk about coworkers.  VICTOR!!! I know, but all she does is sit in that chair while I.. VICTOR!!!  Ok, sorry... dangit.

Happy people ask if you need help.  And... they mean it.   Happy people care (and ask) how you are doing (and mean it.)  In general, people of faith are happy.  Sure, you don't have to be religious to be happy.   Happy people, generally, love animals.  If by chance they're allergic to cats, they still love their persnickety-ness.  They may hate dog hair, but let 'em lay allover the sofa, then DustBust at evening's end.

Happy people go, do.  Happy people laugh, even if they might sound like Horshack when doing so.

Happy people instinctively know the right thing to say........or not say.

Oft times, they are coupled.  Lucy/Ricky.  Kevin/Winnie.  Edith/Archie.  George/Louise.  Homer/Marge.  Ain't a prerequisite to happiness, but can shake and bake help.

Happy people are good listeners.  I have no idea howinthehell one judges "good listening", but, they just are.

Happy people enjoy fountains more than drains.

Happy people love, without exception,

Happy people can be Grump, Bashful, Dopey, Sneezy, Sleepy (usually internally)...or even a Doc.

Not much phases them............... or so I've noticed.

If you're happy and you know it................... rub your head and pat your belly.  Or... say "UNIQUE NEW YORK" THREE TIMES.. REAL FAST!

You tried it and you laughed at yourself didn't you?

Happy people don't preach, and please know I ain't.  If I professed to know all the answers I wouldn't have Googled "how to be happy", "what makes one happy."

I'm learning happiness is a choice.  And, that it can be learned.

I'm off to the Dollar Tree to buy some Kleenex.  I'm gonna try blowing my nose for the first time ever.  God that's gross.

Don't worry, be happy......

Love, Victurd

PS:  I Googled unhappiness and Doc Google told me anti-depressants can help.

PSS:  VICTOR!!!!!!!!!!!

That was the week that was......

The wrap:

In sports, the I-70 Series happened.  Box score for the Royals:    0 Speeding tickets, 0  Distracted Driving Citations, 0 Runs.

Chiefs lost preseason game #2 to the Steelers.  QB Totals:  Litton 9 completions, Henne 7, Schurmer 4, Mahomes 3 completions/12 commercials.  In one of the Commercials, Mahomes threw three errant passes to the West, when he shoulda thrown East, completely destroying the picnics of three neighbors, including one that eerily looked like Jeffrey Epstein.  Mahomes and HyVee didn't leave the neighbors hanging as he went online and ordered replacement groceries to be delivered to all.

Ten US teams, including Hawaii, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Virginia, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs and 8 International teams descended upon Williamsport, PA for the Little League World Series.  Vegas actually has odds on these games, and the US final is projected to be Louisiana vs the Pirates. Joe Madden, Cubs manager, was overheard mumbling something about "unfair pitch count limits."

A recent political rally was interrupted with the singing of Meridith Wilson's "Go You Chicken Fat Go"..

Kansas City got some much needed rain.  And s'more mostly needed rain. And then some kinda needed rain.  And then, a little bit too much rain.  Hail yes.

In Wisconsin, Jerry Cosby, a 29 year old man who stole the credit card of a KFC drive thru customer was arrested by Racine Police Department's Colonel HD Sanders.  DNA samples obtained from the finger licked card matched those of Crosby.

Not a good week for RoundUp (cancer causing agents Class Action Suit) and several winemakers - crazy high levels of arsenic discovered within.

Of course, we celebrated the 50 year anniversary of Woodstock.  Remembering:  Woodstock was originally cancelled due to angry residents of Wallskill complaining the toilets weren't up to standard.  Farmer Max Yasgur came to the rescue renting his 600 acre dairy farm for $50,000 for the event.  Promoters sold 100,000 $7 tickets in advance, but the hords, coupled with insufficient infrastructure, saw 300,000 (of the 400,000 total) see the concert for free.  The throngs (albeit with no ill intent) broke down barriers and fences, and the cows were left to simply intermingle with concert goers.

The band Sweetwater was scheduled to open the concert, but traffic made that impossible so the task was left up to Richie Havens.  Havens, taken back and feeling somewhat like a motherless child, perfectly delivered "Freedom." Sweetwater arrived by helicopter soon after.   Attendee behavior was mostly exemplary, 'ceptin when a food shortage happened and concert goers strayed to nearby fields to munch on corn and other produce ("Whew" for the cows).

The pacifist vibe continued until the end.  Upon the completion of Jimi Hendrix's Monday set for a dwindled crowd of 25,000 folks, one of the promoters took it all in via helicopter.  To his amazement, the trash collecters had fashioned a humongous peace symbol with what trash remained from it all.

I was bored.  Sorry.  Don't shoot anyone, watch for cow patties, treat your lawn (DIY mix of Borax, Dawn and Vinegar), take an umbrella, keep score (unless it's anything political), get your exercise in, fork it over and buy bottled wine (vs Box wine), and have a nice week.

Love, Victurd

Weebles Wottle but they don't fall down......

I know, I know it's 'wobble', but I'm talkin' Dave, as in Dave Wottle.

Ya gotta be old to remember him, but I am that.  As a child, Dave's Doctor said "You're kind of feeble, you need to do something to strengthen yourself, like running."  So he did.  Man did he.

He wore his hair tucked up under his hat and when people went in to ask him why, it was no protest, no hidden meaning - he simply wore his hair long and the hat kept his hair out of his eyes.

In 1972, he ran the most incredible race I ever remember watching.  Munich, Germany.. The Olympics.  800 Meter run.  600 hundred meters into it - he was last.  Dead last.  One by one he passed runner after runner, finally passing the favored Yevreny Arzhanov of the Soviet Union (no intended hidden meaning here) to win the Gold Medal by 0.03 seconds.  Wottle wobbled, but he didn't fall down.

I love it when people wobble, but don't/won't fall down.

"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time the tide will turn."  Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Thanks for never giving up Harriet.

"I get knocked down, but I get up again, you are never gonna keep me down."  Tubthumping

Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.  "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Dude was fired at an early age from his newspaper job for "lack of good ideas."  Started an animation company in 1921, went bankrupt.  He was literally eating dog food to subsist.  Wobble or quit?  Started ANOTHER animation company, and you know the "Paul Harvey" - far out Walt.

This ain't all about lifestyles of the rich and famous, it's about you, me, today.  We all get down, then have to change the damn flat tire.  We wanna throw in the towel, but thank God we go to the laundromat instead.

Words.  Words of other's pelt us, scar us.  Our own minds, they can betray us, belittle us.  Addiction blinds us.  We allow envy to sink us.  Second place can debilitate us.  Never believe that (Yevreny you're a damn good runner.)

"Work hard, be honest, help people, never give up, love your fellow man and woman, give back to society, and don't ever discriminate."  Jesse White

Drive (for awhile) with that donut on.  Sit in General Admission instead, and appreciate just being there.  Not enough $ for that?  Listen on the radio or watch on TV, it's wobbling, but not falling down.  Follow me to the Thrift Store, I'm buying some 'new' clothes.

"No matter how devastating our struggles, disappointments, and troubles are, they are only temporary."  Josh McDowell

Humor can help.  You know, like the old bar in Liberty.  The Wiggle In.  Wiggle in, wobble out (but don't fall!)  Or.... "Beer, now there's a temporary solution."  Dan Castellaneta

Teasing, kinda.  There are two people VERY near and dear to me who have recently teetered on the cliff of giving up.  I know I am not alone in knowing someone like that.  Close your ears.  Been there, THANK GOD I didn't give up.  They can't (and didn't) either.

There are 7.53 billion 'guts' (people) in the World.  That's 12.06 billion shoes (or thereabouts.. remember?  Humor can help!).  Thus, odds are long we're all gonna get kicked in the gut.  Wobbling is ok, just get up if you temporarily fall.

"No matter how small you may feel you make a big difference in this world."  Unknown

Gotta sec?  Always remember, you are amazing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReADpjUGnQshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReADpjUGnQs

Life ain't a pass/fail.  It's a wonderful wobble.

"Aha," you say, "you wrote this whole blog and you NEVER mentioned God?"..  There.  Thanks, you just did, and I concur about faith in God!

Weebles wobble but they don't fall down.

Love, Victurd

Like a rock....... and whotheheck is Patty Boyd?

As in, perhaps the rock I've been living under.

Awhile back, I was prompted to take one of those "How much do you know about such-n-such?" surveys - this one happened to be about Current Affairs - and I flunked miserably - like maybe 4 correct outta 20.  That's ok, I admit to rather bland, perhaps C+ mentality/knowledge, however you wanna phrase it. I can handle that, and to be frank, I watch those damn things (quizzes) with disdain, especially when one sees "Nailed it, 100%".  Not a great fan of one breaking one's arm whilst backpatting.

I've long lived a life with blinders on.  Addicted to whatever is important (to me anyways) in my life (at the time) - full speed ahead.. examples - a 5'2" thing of beauty, being a father - an active father, running a business,  baseball, softball, coaching basketball, yada.

I repeat myself, and I don't care.  I repeat myself, and I don't care.  Once, while sitting in the living room with the 5'2" lady, I remarked "When did we get that painting?" (hanging on the wall).. "Two years ago,"  It's me.  I miss stuff.  Stuff everyone else sees, 'cept me. Like  (under) a rock.

This morning I perused the Parade Magazine from yesterday with decent, 'addictive' interest - as it was about the stories behind the songs.   I actually considered writing a blog about something like "I like to look at you" - a story of infatuation, a real life thing about someone I've long thought "I like to look at you" - but then, that'd be stupid, and who would want to air their own laundry?  Oops.

Then I saw "Layla," the classic - of course, by Eric Clapton from 1970.  This is the "Like a rock" part, where, YOU, probably knew all this crap (I was busy with blinders on, college, girls, baseball, yada) and I'd never heard of Patty Boyd.  You?  I was intrigued to learn that Eric wrote Layla about her, and at the time she was married to George Harrison, yeah, one in the same.

Parade wrote "Clearly, Boyd had something special, because two years earlier, Harrison had written another classic song, "Something," for her, which became one of the most recorded love songs ever." Then, seven years later, Clapton wrote "Wonderful Tonight" about Boyd.  Holy guacamole this lady MUST be Something (pun mebbe intended.)

So, I addictedly Wiki'ed on to ascertain more about her,  Microsoft, or whoever is the ruler of all language here, underlined addictedly - to say "It ain't a word" to which I say "Screw that, should be."

Wiki lemme know she was one of leading international models in the 1960's.  Her photos graced the pages of Vanity Fair, Vogue, Elle, yada.  Others, such as Twiggy, based their appearance on Boyd.

Boyd was cast, in 1964, in the Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night.  There, she met Harrison, and her career skyrocketed even further due to their subsequent romantic involvement.

OK, this is getting long, so I'll try to a Cliffsnotes version (I wonder whointheheck Cliff was?)

Married Harrison in 1976.  Other songs George wrote about her, "If I Needed Someone,"  "For You Blue,"and "I Need You."

Along came Ravi Shankar, George/Patty lived in Bombay, then, to escape fans/the press, they lived on a houseboat.  1973 she had an affair with Faces guitarist Ronnie Wood, then divorced George a year later due to his repeated infidelities, culminating with his affair of Starr's wife. Goodness gracious.  I was under a rock during all this?

So that domino toppled, and along came Eric.  Well, kinda.  Boyd rebuffed his advances, sooooo, he dated her sister.  Then, went into personal exile for three years with heroin addiction.  Cleaned up, long about 1974 he tried again, this time she left George, and ultimately married Eric in 1979.

Bouts of alcoholism (Eric's), some affairs (Eric's), led to their eventual breakup.  She later said, of Eric courting her whilst she was with George, it "had more to do" with the competitive aspect of the two musicians, "Eric wanted what George had."

Oh yeah, I left out Bell Bottom Blues, Eric wrote that about her.

Sooooo, for fifty plus years I never knew all this stuff..  so now I'm addicted to learn more.  Going to find/read her book, Wonderful Today... later re titled Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Me for the US market.

I ain't a book reader.  Now, am.  Or, will be.

So... if all that was boring, sorry. Kinda intrigued me.   I miss a lotta stuff.  Like that painting on the wall.

Going to the library now.  Seeya.

WHAT?  The Royals won the World Series?  Trump won?

Shit.

Love, Victurd

As tears go by......

It is the evening of the day
I sit and watch the children play
Smiling faces I can see
But not for me
I sit and watch
As tears go by

How did we get here... where are we going...    innocence at play..   how will they learn hatrid...  Is there one among that one day will feel he/she has the right to take another's life?

Bulletproof backpacks..   Armed guards in schools..   Trepidation in going to church.. a concert.. a movie.. WalMart?  Are we fucked up or what?  Why? How did we get here?

My riches can't buy everything
I want to hear the children sing
All I hear is the sound
Of rain falling on the ground
I sit and watch
As tears go by

15,000 years ago.. The ancestors of Native Americans arrived here from Asia via the land mass Beringia....  Who/when/where/why did this exclusion -prejudice - hatrid - better than thou come from?  Why?

It is the evening of the day
I sit and watch the children play
Doin things I used to do
They think are new
I sit and watch
As tears go by 

The color wheel is an amazing, wonderful thing, to most.  Why is there hatrid, by some, for some colors?  What goes thru the brain of one who thinks "my color is better than your color?"  I really think, if I were black, Hispanic, or maybe a believer of a non mainstream religion - I'd be dead from fighting back.  I know that's not MLK's way but he's gone.  Who/how can we fix?  And maybe an even better question, why can't we fix?

I cry watching the children play for I know odds are one day they too will witness atrocities.  Maybe they will even be eliminated, their own life cut short by atrocity. Maybe one will learn hatrid and participate in atrocity.

We must, somehow, rid our Country, our World - of hatrid.

It's obviously, not enough, to be kind.  Compassionate.  Feed.  Clothe.  Help.  Role model.  Peacefully coexist.  God bless those that do though - and please don't change.

As tears go by.......

Love........ why not?

Until Death Do Us Depart, Debark and Debate - HyVee or the Piggly Wiggly?......

And the sign said 'Longhaired freaky people need not apply.'   So, he refused to tuck his hair up under his hat and no one asked him why.  51 years ago, my 2nd cousin married the man of her dreams.  They were both kinda hippy-types.  Wonderful folks, I'm biased of course, but anyone that knows them agrees.

They'd purchased a VERY run down old grist mill on The Big River near St. Louie.  "The house of our dreams."  Many scoffed.  Even the clergyman performing the ceremony said "I give it a year."

Fast forward.  Fast forward ain't really the right term.  I prefer, 'A wonderful, long,  slow dance forward' and they are set to spend their 51st anniversary nite in - of course - a Tipi in the Ozarks.  While it ain't the normal Tipi ("crisp sheets, a warm shower, soap and towels, candles and a bottle of wine, queen size bed, assortment of teas, coffees, grill, utensils, hammock, propane or wood fire rings, books, games, yada, supplied.")  It's them, in a rather large nutshell.

She asked herself "Why have we made it to our 51st anniversary?" and her answer recently popped up on a Facebook feed:

"A perfect relationship is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other."

Get out the Tide Pods, cause yes, dangerous curves, dirty laundry, hypocrisy, and marital advice ahead.

One time, no, not band camp, one time - at smoke break at work, there were twelve of us - up agin' the brick building to hide in nature's shadow from the sun.  The subject of stopping smoking came up, and Kim (I love Kim as a good, wonderful friend) stepped out and said "I can tell you six good ways to stop smoking" as she raised her right hand for emphasis, while holding a cig in her left.  Never before in my life have I been a smartass (please don't go back and read any other blogs), but, this day I was, and i stepped up, spouted "Kim, you giving advice on quitting smoking is like me giving marital advice."  What?  Me Worry? of two-time "winner" (loser) marital fame.

I'm going to hell.  Probably will.  One big reason, not long ago, an ex of mine (I've had two, you deduct) posted a huge, wonderful saying-thingy about "Never giving up", a twelve paragraph prose regarding her thankfully (and I too am glad for her) now long-time marriage.  The going to hell part, yeah, that's me, 'cause I responded with one of those laughing-face meme thingys.  Long ago, I coached a gal in basketball, her key phrase was "if it feels good, do it".. I did it, smack me, it felt good.

I don't have any marital advice really.  Each, every one of us will "do wrong", ie, we're human.  Yes, I believe there are some marriages, the vast minority, where the actions/behaviors of one, eventually brings it to a screaching halt.  Mostly though, we're both right, wrong,

To the Piggly Wiggly or HyVee?  Night owl/early riser?  Homebody, life of the party?   Intro/Extro?  Liberal/Conservative?  Cruise to Bora Bora, or, tent camping at the lake.

Give, take.

We've all, mostly, been touched by suicide.  It is said "it's a permanent solution to a temporary problem."  I am NOT suggesting divorce is anything like suicide - but divorce is, my take, a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

I was wrong, she was wrong.  I wasn't perfect, she wasn't perfect.  Copy and paste same for marriage number two.  Perhaps you/yours.

Mostly old farts come here, so if you're an old fart and you're here, and you roll over and see the same person laying next to you that's been there since Nixon was in office - kudos, truly.  You've taught us it's a give and take.  Not, a give up.

I literally cried the second time I said "Until Death Do Us Part" because I'd already said it once.  AIN'T saying I was perfection, Lord knows not the case.  Ain't saying her fault, Lord knows that not to be true either.

Will say, we can be overcome by moments, shout "I give up" when refusal to give up is possible, and problem(s) can be overcome - even when emotion seemingly gets the best of us.

Crawling back under my rock now, I don't do pedestals.  Also, please know, I LOVE (and have always loved) my life!

Bless those that never gave up - you've got a long list of admirers.  Ever eat a pine tree?  Er, I mean, ever slept in a Tipi?  Have a wonderful night Jeannie and Jim, and said lovingly, ya damn grippy hippies!  (Oh yeah.. the dilapidated grist mill? Milled board by milled board, limestone slab by limestone slab, it is beyond words in beauty.  It is, THE #1 site for weddings in the St. Lous area - impossible to describe, but a marvel, just like the owners.)

Peace out.......

What's in your wallet?

My physical wallet is pretty boring.  A few bucks.  A Starbucks, Quick Trip, and WalMart gift card, with $0.67, $1.23 and $1.74 left on them, respectively.  A $2 off coupon from when I got my haircut in 2017 at Great Clips, and yeah, the ink is gone, ya can't read it. Business cards from folks I've never done business with, nor probably ever will.  See?  Toldya, pretty boring.

Had a buddy.  He was (and still is) in love with this chicky.  Thirty years ago when they were dating, he had a pic in his wallet of her... and her ex boyfriend.  He liked this one pic of her so much, he put masking tape over the dude, and kept her smiling face front and center for him to see when he opened his wallet.

Another buddy I worked with, Fernando Papi (originally from Argentina, well, he had trouble with 'J's. I ain't making fun of him, because he was accomplished in TWO languages - he yust had trouble with J. (John was Yohn, Yolly St. Nick.. Yoy to the world, you get the idea.)  His famous phrase was "It not my yob man, it not my yob."  Anyways, in his wallet, he kept a picture of his "Pride and Yoy, " which was, actually a picture of a bottle of Pride and a bottle of Joy.

Life brings us much, wonderfully, to our 'wallet.'  Victor, are you gonna get all sentimental and talk about yesterday AGAIN?  Uh huh, I am.  Age, not giving much of a rat's ass (I wonder what the origin of that saying is?) brings one to "It's my party and I'll blog about the past if I want to... you could blog too if it happened to you."

And I'm sure it has.

BFF's.  Some have one.  Some have several, and I suppose many don't really have one.  I have one, but life's twists and turns have kept us from doing much more than a few emails the last several years - BUT, he will always be my best friend.  You?

LLF.  That's life long friend.  There's a gang of girls in the HS class one year older - I watch in amazement as they go (and have always gone as a LLF group) to concerts, sporting events, birthday celebrations, and most recently Maui, together.  Lifetime wallet.  LLF's. Yum, and kudos.  I think we've all got LLF's.

CIW.  (Coworkers in wallet)..  Various lengths of time.  Lord I've had way too many jobs, or yobs as Fernando would say - but I know I'm blessed in that, every time I run across one of them - a smile and memories instantly surface.  Know what I mean Vern? I never actually worked with a Vern, but, there's a friend from HS named Vern.

Which brings us to classmates.  Adored classmates.  People in one's wallet, of ANY age, are special.  But - Victor, you can't start a sentence with 'but.'  But, wallet friends the same age are unique.  We've gone thru much... being kids..  kisses at the Plaza Theater.. sock hops.. cruisin.. sports.. music.. some, moving, perhaps ne'er e'er to see again.  But, shared, coupling, having/raising kids.. struggling thru a lifetime of that damn word 'work'..  RETIREMENT... I'd use a bigger size type if I could, but GRANDKIDS!  We shared Elvis, doing the Twist in the dodgeball circle at Franklin School (remember getting in trouble for that?), landing on the moon, JFK's fateful day.. 9/11..  aging parents..  The sum is, this wallet friend is pretty damn special - MUCH, shared.

Educators.  Not just teachers, but too, scout leaders, baseball/swimming/tennis/soccer coaches.. The people we learn much from, including representation, skills, teamwork, camaraderie.  The niche of respect in our wallets..

Smidgits.  These are fleeting friendships, wallet events, along the way.  Could be the dude you talked to for two hours from MCI to LAX.  The hairdresser, barber, grocery clerk, next door neighbor, insurance man/woman, lawyer, accountant, yada.. smidget friends.  Some smidget-friendships continue fairly long, some, very fleeting - still, each/all, special.  Smidgets make an impact in our wallets.

Blood.  Yes, thicker than water.  We may spat, we may take respites, we may not.  No matter, wallet specials.  A connection, forever.  A sense of loyalty, a sense of love, respect, specialness.  As one ages, tosses an old purse or wallet, ya always put these folks in your next wallet, purse - forever etched.

Inlaw/Outlaw.  When one is in love, the love spills over into love for 'their blood.'  Divorce, death, may happen - but too, hopefully you still have an attachment, a place in your wallet, for inlaws/outlaws.  Outlaw is what my ex sister inlaw and I call each other.  Different day, different situation, always though, the same wallet.

Can you think of other kinds in your wallet?  Oh yeah, pets.  I love my God, but mebbe it's backwards in length of life of pets as compared to our own.  Someone once said "Isn't really all we want is to love and be loved in return?"  Uh huh, and what better for the wallet than pets.  Like the number of jobs (yobs) I've had, so too is the number of pets (thankfully) large.  Too many to name (you're welcome) but, each, every one, special.  Some no likey pets, and to each his/her own.. the majority of us though, look at these wonderful creatures with the love of a child, BFF, blood, that stuff.  Good stuff.  They're in our wallet, 4evr.

Time, trips around the sun, and sometimes illness cause us to slip, forget, what's in our wallets.  (This aging thing is also the reason I keep a key to my car, and to my apartment in my actual wallet.)

I hope you are like me in that your wallet is full, and that's it's afforded many a smile over the years.

Upon death, it ain't so much about all the fives, tens, twentys, 401K's in one's wallet - it's moreso all of the above.

Have fun the resta your life, remembering "What's in your wallet?"

Love, Victurd

Size matters....

If you're going up for a rebound.

With regard to your 401K at the time of your retirement.  (Do as I say, not as I do..dear snotnoses, put 10% away every paycheck and 'no touchy.')

When the NFL ref tucks his head under the tarp covering the 6" TV screen for "Further review" whilst we at home watch on our 60" bigscreens.

"What counts is not necessarily he size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."  Dwight D. Eisenhower

I bet a kajillion dollars there are enough "That drawer is full of clothes for me 2 sizes ago that I will never-eva fit in again, but I'm keepin'" - to adequately clothe every homeless person in the World.

Matters when you're flying... in the middle seat.

Opines differ on where ya wanna live.  Some, like the hustle-bustle of the city, choosing to live in a condo on the 39th floor, where they have on the ground a 2 foot by 20 foot grass strip for their dog to poop on.  Some prefer, "Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam, and they can poop any dangwhere they please. "  I likes small towns with a square surrounding a Courthouse - where it doesn't take much gas money to get to where 'country' is, fast.

"Life is too short, and I'm Italian.  I'd rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size '0"." Sophia Bush

Awhile back at a Wellness event at work, one thing they measured was the size of your waist.  "Pun perhaps intended ma'am, but you're 'wasting' your time measuring mine, I've been a size 36" waist since Ronald was in office."....  Yessir, I understand, but we actually measure around the belly button.  Oops.  Size matters where you measure.

Golfers want drivers the size of their baby's head...  Country boys want tires on their pickups sooo big they gotta use a pogo stick just to get in.  I think I hold the world record for number of Piggly Wiggly sacks in my two hands simply because I'm too lazy to make two trips.

Size comes into play in power.. ego.. hurdles.. the nose guard across fromya.  (Chris Jones, KC Chief nose guard, begins every game looking across at his opponent, and offers "Whatsup fatty?")  Size matters if you're going thru the metal detector at the Jackson County jail in Kansas City and ya gotta wear an underwire bra.  "Ahm, ma'am, you'll have to take that off and place it in this bin."

Bear bed size mattered to Goldilocks. Goliath's size didn't matter to David.  Size of inheritance share, sadly, is allowed to be the cause of family disarray, departure.   The 1976 introduction of the Big Gulp changed the soft drink arena forever.

"First impressions matter. Experts say we size people up somewhere between 30 seconds and two minutes."  Elliott Abrams

Tallest man, 8'11".. Woman, 7'7".    Heaviest, 1,400 lbs.  Thanks to Richard Simmons help, Rosalie Bradford went from 1,199 lbs to 200 lbs. a weight loss record for women at 999 lbs.  Heaviest baby ever born, 22 lbs, ouch.

For his wife's birthday, a hubby bought her a dress two sizes too small to encourage her to lose weight, adding, "I look forward to seeing you in it."  For his birthday, she bought him a coffin.

Many years ago, I shingled (by my lonesome, it was a money thing!) the roof of our three story house by tying myself to a rope attached to the chimney on the other end.  Now, I don't think there is any 'test' rope that would hold me.

And "Oh, OK, for you perverts that've been waiting":

The 6th grade science teacher asked her class "Which human body part increases to ten times it's size when stimulated?"  No one answered  Finally, little Mary stood up and said "You should not be asking 6th graders questions like that!  I'm going to tell my parents, then the principal, who will then fire you!"

The teacher ignored Mary, and asked the question again - and again it was met with silenece.  She followed with "Anybody?"  Finally, Billy stood up, looked around nervously and said "The body part that increases to ten times it's size when stimulated is the pupil of the eye."

"Very good Billy" the teacher replied, then glared at Mary and said "As for you young lady, I have three things to say:  One, you have a dirty mind.  Two, you didn't read your homework, and Three, one day you're going to be very disappointed."

Size matters.  Damnit darnit.

Love, Victurd

It's only words, and words are all I've got...

New kid (19-ish) interviewed with bossman for a job at the golf course where I work part time.  "He's pretty shy.. nervous., literally twitching as we visited... I told him to relax, we have fun here."  To me, those are good signs.. he cared about how he came off.. he didn't wanna screw up (versus someone who simply wants to screw off)... So, boss called School where he went. "Oh yea, great kid, you won't have any problems with him."

First day on job, I was fortunate to be there as the trainer kinda-sorta (more about kinda-sorta later.)  He was just that.  Shy.  Caring.  Didn't wanna mess up.   I told stupid jokes, finally got a smile (more later about smile), then a laugh (that too)... soon, some comfort set in, we talked about college, and what his goal is... "Journalism."  This excited me.  A young gun, ANXIOUS to go learn, eventually work in a field with great return and utterly low pay.

He spoke "Went to Maryville one semester.. Now at Maple Woods" (Loved this too as I jumped in with "Me too!").. "Not sure where I'll go next.."   "MIZZOU!  They've got the greatest Journalism school around."  "Can't do that.. mom won't lemme... entire family is/are KU fans."  Bummer, maybe more on KU later.

So... his work morning was shortened by the need to go attend a Composition class.  Thus, this blog was prompted by the word composition.  I watched him walkout the door and I gleefully thought about all the words he's gonna share, opine in his lifetime.

Composition turned to words.. Words turned to "what are some favorites" and "least favorites."  My take:

Of course God is first.  Then I think smile is next.  Been to way too many funerals, but the ones that draw the most tears, heart tugs, feel goods, feel sorrys, are, for people that smiled more times than not. Smiling on the outside, life be damn you, I will not allow you to effect (or is that affect) my outside. Smile = yummy.

Yummy is up there too.  Yes, of course the male pig version, but too, anything that's fervent, uplifting, something that leaves one emotionally spent, but in a good way.

S'more on the Yours Truly WHB Top Forty list:  passion, fervor, hubba hubba, oh baby oh baby (yes, I realize them ain't ONE word, still, hopefully you get the point.)  Kinda-sorta, is wonderful for issuing one's opine (I likes opine too).  Kinda-sorta is a way to state one's belief, beliefs, without hopefully peeving one off - yet, it's bassackwardly emphatic in "sorry, that's the way I feel."

Flashmob (creativity, organization, feel, yum, without monetary reward - what better?).. Words in the newspaper that have ya glued to the article, seeing "continued on page _" and you anxiously, excitedly turn the page, find it's almost a full page, you happily refold the paper - and continue in the feel good absorption of the words you're enjoying.

Not long after the kid left for Composition class. my boss said "Vic, it's kinda slow, do you mind clocking out?"  "Nope."  I must notta put the emphasis, passion, fervor on my answer, cause he asked "Are you mad?"  Mad?  Retirement = laziness (earned, my take).. Clocking out means nap. It's what retired people do I've learned.  "No, I'm not mad.. only two things make me mad.. Tailgaters and arrogance.."

There, there's some words I ain't too fond of.  Fish is one too.  Aside from the fact the simple smell of fish makes me wanna run headfirst to the urinal bowl to upchuck - I no likey 'fish' as a technique some use to play the game "Ain't it awful", or, attempting to get your goat.  I don't have a goat, don't want one, but pisses me off when people try to get it.

There's a buddy I love (born bred in Missouri, transplanted Kansan), but he continually posts things anti-Missouri, arrogantly pro-Kansas with the ease of a Zebco 33, and the frequency of trout fisherman lining the banks of Roaring River on opening day..  Sometimes he hooks me,  I play the fool, but usually I try very bravely to not allow him to get my goat.

A few more yucky ones (yuck is a 'fav' unfavorite word):  Death. Divorce.  "I mean" when starting a sentence.. what if they don't preface with "I mean" in their next sentence?  Congressional debate.  My way or the highway (Fox News and/or CNN, real shitty bosses)... Uppity.  Judgment.  Victor, you just judged by stating 'uppity.'  Uh huh, did, you see, blogging allows one to talk outta both sides of the mouth.

I anxiously await the day someone says "I simply want to treat all people the same" insteada "from the CEO to the Janitor", "from the trainer to the star quarterback", etc.  Victor, you were doing OK on words you like, why don't you switch back?  Good idea, I'll switch back:

Hound.  Feline.  Friend.  Townie.  Nostalgia.  Kid.  Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad. Baseball.  Football.  America.  Truth.  Compliment. Humility.  Colors, all.  Rainbows.  Beautiful.  Fun. Snickerfritz. Human. Delightful.  Magnificent.  Sunshine.  Gobbledygook. Doohickey.  Gadzooks. Goosebumps.  Heebie-jeebie.  Self deprecation.  Mouthwatering.  Heavenly.

Fart.  Such a powerful word. Fart makes children giggle and coworkers run.

What are some of your favorite words?  What ones conjure the need to vomit?  When's the last time you farted, and did anyone else hear it?

Good luck to that young man and his quest for a lifetime of words.

A lover of lyrics and levity from (and for) Liberty, Victurd

Paper or plastic?..... or.. Papas got a brand new bag...

Bag:

A container made of flexible material with an opening at the top for carrying things.

One's particular interest or taste.

Put something in a bag.

(Of a hunter) succeed in killing or catching an animal.

Bag, to me, is a fun word.  Mom's bag, as a kid, meant nearby Mercurochrome, Kleenex, quarters for ice cream, band aids, comb, yada.

"Lettin' the cat ourra the bag is a whole lot easier'n puttin' it back in."  Will Rogers

I never under$tood "Coach" bags.  I've always felt "rich in life" but, not so much in bank balance.  Beyond me why anyone would spend $300 for a handbag, but then again, I ain't everyone.  I always associate "Coach" with Po', cause I was a coach, and I was Po' (My first teaching coaching contract was for $9800 a year...ie, coach = Po'.)

"Just get a bag and drop a dream in it, and you'll be surprised what happens."  Charles Nelson Reilly

The Piggly Wiggly.  Some lanes gots baggers.  Some ain't.  The express lane (10 items max where folks bring 23 items and you glare at them) ain't got no baggers, so the clerk does it too.  Speakinowhich, howintheheck do they stay on their feet so long with no breaks?   I'm old.  I pee.  I pee a lot.  I pee oftern.  No way could I do that.  Well, I guess if I had Depends on, but that congers up bad bag thoughts, 'feelings', so let's not go there.

Ya go to Aldi's, you gotta bring your own bags, and bag your own groceries.  I always forget a quarter, so I never go there.

I probably will never be friends with Elvis, cause I ain't never caught a rabbit, nor have I ever gone hunting.  BUT, I have 'bagged' three deer (One, with a Pinto Station Wagon, Two, with a Dodge Dart, Three with a Pontiac Grand Prix).  Bambi/bumpers don't mix.

In college, where it took a bag of money to be there, strangely, we'd bag class.  That's like paying for a smorgasbord and saying "no thanks, I ain't hungry" but we did it, we bagged classes.

"Marriage is like putting your hand into a bag of snakes in the hope of pulling out an eel."  Leonardo di Vinci  (Hey, watch it Vinny, MANY a happy ever-after couple out there!)  "Oh yeah?  Then why are them Cordell and Cordell brothers so damn rich?"  Vinny

Some, no know when to shutup (windbags).  As we age, we get saddlebags.  The hell they come from?  Teabag, beanbag, toolbag, fleabag, mailbag, scumbag, dirtbag, sleazebag, and, the guy with 23 items in the Express lane, douchebag.

Years ago it was "Are you ready for the (man) bag?"  Oh the times they are a changin',..  The original "Are you ready for the bag", to many, carried bad connotations.  Nomme.  I had a long list of hero Doctors that long before carried a bag:  Marcus Welby, Doc on Gunsmoke, Hawkeye, Trapper John, Ben Casey, Dr. Kildare, yada.  A local hero was Doc Bowles, he always carried a bag.

No Doctor around, and getting hit in the bag... Nope, we men could never resemble anything close to the pain involved in childbirth, but getting hit in the bag'll bring you down to your knees faster'n a Catholic Mass.  Redface, veins exposed, lowpitch turned to highpitched, suffice to say "Ouch."  Profanity is permitted and encouraged in these instances.

"What a doctor I've got - he's really mixed up.  Last week he grabbed my knee and told me to cough.  Then, he hit me in the balls with a hammer."  Rodney Dangerfield

Terrorism has changed the view of the bag.  Awhile back, "45" came to Kansas City.. .Went with a friend.. took some water in a bag cooler, set it on the ground.  Cops, here, there, everywhere.  One came up to me.. "Is that your bag?"  Yessir.  "You need to pick it up because Captain said we need to confiscate every unattended bag."  A truly sad statement about us, today.

The golf bag.  14 clubs max is the legal limit, but oh so many other things are/can be stored in there.  The mundane:  golf balls, tees, rain gear, pencils, water bottle, USGA Rule book (Ha!), sunscreen, bugspray, yada..   The more, mebbe amusing golf bag items, 2 year old full cans of PBR, year old half-eaten cookies, one guy pulled out a new ball and a condom fell out.. nudie tees, banana peel...

MY golf bag.  Scroll to Po'.  I've never gone to Nebraska Furniture Mart and bought an entire room of matching furniture (sofa, loveseat, chairs, coffee table, end tables, matching pictures, yada.)  My golf bag has 14 clubs, maybe 2 of which are from the same set.  I suffer from "Well, if I buy that new (chipper, driver, 3-wood, hybrid, putter, yada) I will become better."  So, a mixed bag.  Mebbe there is correlation to different lengths, styles, age, flex/non-flex and my really crappy ability. Oh well, I still enjoy the game.

Mixed bag = story of my life.  Come to think of it, maybe story of everyone's life.

BRB, going to check and see if I've got cucumbers, or tea bags, or parsley, or oats, or an avacado, or almonds (mixed with milk).. all things helpful for baggy eyes.

There's even a website where you can order bags that have positive quotes written on them.  Among them "Wake up, be awesome, Repeat."...  "Create happiness."....  "Broken crayons still color."... "Never a failure, always a lesson."

He ain't no drag.  Papa's got a brand new bag.

Love, Victurd

Human matter... Get it right the first time... The Sport's Page..

Coffee.. the morning news.. and hunger led me to McDonalds this morning.  I know I know, but I've eaten fairly healthily this week, it's time to splurge.

As I sat drinking coffee... then as I drove to McDonalds,..my mind ventured on writing a blog about "being 60-something.. how things "roll off me" now like rain on a duck's feathers..  ie, I don't/won't, get bent outta shape any longer.  Yeah, that's what I'll write about...

"Welcome back, may I take your order?"  Ahem.  How does she know I've been here before?  What if I never have?  VICTOR, remember... "roll off me."  Oh yeah.. k.

"Yes, I'd like a sausage biscuit, a sausage McMuffin and a cup of water please."

"So... do you want both sandwiches?"... Me..  brief silence..

Simmer down old codger, remember, this person is trying their best at minimum wage.  "Yes, please."  Forgive me Father, I thought internally "WHY would she ask that? I would never ask that."  As I pulled to the window, I wondered what she looked like.

I got to the window, a dude handed me my sandwiches.  I giggled internally, as this goes against everything the young man had been trained to do.  "Get the money first."  I contemplated driving off, but it ain't hard to spot a beat up silver PT Cruiser with a black convertible top and a redheaded old man that has a porn-star mustache (that's what my son says I look like.)  So I paid.

Then, the "so do you want both sandwiches" lady appears, without looking me in the eyes, hands me the water and says "have a nice day" and before I could shout out "You as well" the window was closed and she was off to argue with the next chap in line.  VICTOR!  Water off a duck's feather!  Oh yeah, sorry.

In as much as the order taker needs to get it right the first time, so do I, the grumpy old man need to get it right.  I AM convinced, the older I get, the less things bug me - but I gotta admit I slip.  The get it right first, to me, applies to one's reaction.  I think we all have instant reactions (we discussed horn honking at an intersection) - but, relaxing, asking "Does it really matter human?" helps us get to the point of "nope, grand schemea things, it don't."

As I drove to the City Park to chomp down on my "yes both please" sandwiches, I'd remembered a recent visit with a loved one going thru chemo.  This person's attitude, approach is so, so wonderful.  I gulped further into guilt for allowing the short order lady to upset me.

Sport's page first.  Always been that way, Believe it or not there are usually more life lessons there than in the front section of the paper.  The front section carries shootings, accidents, embezzlements, Left/Right argument and ends with the obits.  Getting it right would be to have the Sport's page first.

Wonderful lead article about our Chief's 2nd round draft pick that had zero to do with touchdowns, 40 yd dash speed, ego, yada... it was about his love for assisting special needs children.  Started in 6th grade and has been devoted to help ever since.  So Victor, how are you feeling about now about getting bent outta shape at Mickey D's?

Then, an article about our local girl's soccer team that recently won the Missouri State Championship.  In leading up to the long path, they were to play the crosstown rival who had beaten them earlier in the year..  The day before the game, the Liberty coach's brother committed suicide.  Geez.  I can't imagine.  He didn't tell the girls before the game...

After, he did.  In times when there are no answers as to "why", we all react in different ways.  This coach preferred to seek any good from it, and he stated "We talk about these pillars that I want the girls to learn.. and one of the major pillars that I talk about is being able to handle adversity..I said 'Ladies, a lot of things will knock you down.  You have to be able to pick yourself up."  Wow.  Four wins later, State Champs - way to go coach!

Yes, the Sport's page has a box score, results of Nascar, World Cup, Golf, who's injured, who's signed, who's cut.. who's fined.. but it also has things that matter to humans.

Dave Parker was/is, a vibrant personality.  Dave was in town to be inducted into the Negro Leagues 2019 Hall of Game.  He was Mr. Baseball in the 70's, and the Godfather of the "We are family" Pittsburgh Pirates.  While the smile is as huge as ever, the heart maybe even bigger - 7 years ago Dave developed a tremor... Tests would reveal he has Parkinsons.  So, what's Dave do?  He's devoting the vast majority of his remaining life to raise funds for Parkinsons' research.  Dave got it right the first time, and the second time.  A human that matters.

Stephen Piscotty, star baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals, had the world by a string.  In the opening series of 2017, the Cardinals signed him to a 6 year $33.5 million dollar extension.  At some point in the season, he learned his mother (living near Oakland, CA) had ALS.  He skipped some games to go spend time with her.  Yes, baseball is a business, but thanks to two GM's with an eye on the books - but a hand on their heart, a trade was arranged and Stephen (with contract) was dealt to Oakland - where he got to spend a great, great deal of time with his mother before her passing in 2018.  They got it right, humans matter.

One more before I go.  Atop the leaderboard at the current PGA golf tourney is a gentlemen named Nate Lashley,  I am in his court rooting for him today.  Nate turned pro in 2005.. has played on mini tours, the LatinAmerica tour.. and has sold real estate on the side to make ends meet.  He FINALLY got his PGA tour card in 2018, then a knee injury shelved the remainder of the season.  He's made some OK money, but a win today would earn him more money than he's made in 14 total years as a pro.  Victor?  Why you rooting for him?

I'm rooting for him because he probably doesn't get all bent outta shape at the drive thru window in McDonalds.  You see, worse stuff has happened.  His junior year in college, his parents and his girlfriend had flown to watch him golf in the NCAA golf tournament.  As they flew home from Oregon to Nebraska, their plane crashed and all three expired in the crash.  Imagine.  I can't. I'm not certain I could ever deal with that kind of adversity, would have trouble picking myself up.  Go Nate.  Even if you don't win today, from my shoes, you've won.  Kudos.

So if you've ordered ketchup and mustard only and you bite into a big old pickle, don't be like Victor.  Water on the feathers.  Scrape it off, go find a shade tree, park.. read the Sport's page.  You, like me, may learn a lesson - and - find an idol to root for that has nothing to do with touchdowns, home runs, driving distance or penalty kicks.

Love, Victurd

Jesus loves me this I know.......

Because the Bible tells me so.......

Some other stuff I know...  simply because observation, experience, 'been there' tells me so.....

If I have to pee, really REALLY bad, the light will turn yellow.

If I'm out driving, see an Aldi's, thus swerve into their parking lot - I will have 17 cents in change in my pocket.

The automatic flusher thingy at Wally World ALWAYS works when I exit the bathroom and there ain't no one in there.  The time that it doesn't work, and I exit...  uh huh... "Ahm, hi...howya doin'?"

40 pounds ago, i had this wonderful notion, "I know, I'm gonna try, really hard, to workout 100 consecutive days."  Long about day 91, I was feeling perty darn proud of myself.   Snowed that morning.  Lots.    Neither rain nor snow nor heat nor dark of night.. hell or highwater.  Four blocks to gym. Twenty-seven minutes to start car, get snow off, scrape windows.  Another, roughly 18 minutes to traverse those 4 blocks to the gym.  It was closed.

(Day 92, severe case of bronchitis. Ha)....

Gloom, despair and agony on me....

Proud, PROUD 'new' owner (awhile back) of 1999 Grand Marquis.  Proudly drove to watering hole to show my UAW townie friends.. "Oh, nice car - that will run forever."  "I know," I tossed in, "my dad always drove (the sister cars) Lincoln Continentals..200K miles on each and every one."  Next day, same UAW buddies, same watering hole.  Uh huh.  Won't start.  "Hey, can you guys help me push this across the highway to the mechanic joint? "  Did.  "Well sir, it's your fuel filter."  Whew, that can't be bad can it? "It's inside the gas tank, all in all, it will be $547 to fix."  Gulp.

Proud, PROUD 'new' owner of 2008 Chevy Uplander Van.  Nice.  All grandkids fit in it, wonderful trip to Omaha 3rd day I had it.  5th day I had it, radiator bad ($500+).  Inside first month, "Nah, I didn't pay that much for it.. I'll just get liability."  Dropped a cig, leaned down to p/u, uh oh, overcorrected, drove into a fence.  Engine caught fire. Totaled. Gulp.

Proud, PROUD 'new' owner of 2005 (CONVERTIBLE!) PT Cruiser.. Day 4, (NO VICTOR, please stop this!).. uh huh,  engine computer out.  Day 12, tranny probs.  Some couple $K's later, all is good.  Gulp.

Not all too long ago, I very quickly turned $100 into $200 (in like 5 minutes) playing blackjack.  If you ever hear "I always win", huh uh, they speaky with forked tongue.  On this day, I did, and had the good sense to get up, get out.  Next day to Wally World to splurge, buy some fattening stuff I shouldn't, dropped phone on the ground.  Uh huh, ruined.  To Cricket, phone kaput.  Uh huh, $100 for a cheapy replacement.

I have found... situations happen..  Relationships end..  Trivial stuff that seems large happens.. Just when the inclination to shout "Why me Lord?" I look around.. see REALLY crappy stuff happening to others - and I'm ridden with guilt.

Now, when "uh oh" happens, I'm ok.  I laugh.  It's really all one can do.  Were it not for misfortune, I'm not certain one would appreciate fortune.

With age, loss seemingly happens with more frequency.  Loss is sad.  Yellow light having to pee.. no quarter for a grocery cart..  snow.. bronchitis.. radiators.. engine fires. engine computers.. trannys.. cracked phones.. a relationship ending - ain't loss (in the true sense of the word).

Victor, (trivial) gump happens.  Sure, take a quick sigh, but then laugh at it.  Love others/all.  'Cause one day others might not be here.  Never fear using that word 'love', for one day you might not be able to.  Have fun along the way, and remember how blessed each and every one of us is.

Got the runs.  Er, I mean, gotta run.  Swinging by WallyWorld to poop.  Then off to buy a 'new' car.  JK.

Gloom, despair, agony happens.  Don't forget to Hee Haw about it.  Laugh and love along the way, If you're here, I love you.  If you're not, please know I love you and miss you.

Love, Victurd

Dlog.....

If only.....

Take a bow... wow...

We "get it."  You humans.  Sometimes you forget how fleeting life is.  Nuh uh, not us.  Hell to the yeah, when every year is actually seven, we're gonna go, do, WITH excitement.

That relationship that's going stale?  Well... if you TOO would run to the door when your mate comes home, each and every time, wag your tail with the excitement like they just came home from Iraq, or Afghanistan, or any kinda vacation, then mebbe your coupledom would again be spiffy.  Be like me, a 'woof woof', an anxious, loving look out the window - then, when the door opens, I'm allover ya. . Jumping up, trying to lick your face, tail wagging faster'n lightning.

We are ALWAYS up for go, do.  The jingle of those car keys?  I'm ready.  Lemme ride shotgun. June bugs, cicadas be damned, my head is out the window.  Faster, Faster!  That rush one gets when the hair is blown back! Yum!

Game'a catch?  Throw that sucker, I'll make Adalberto Mondesi look like a Little Leaguer.. Sure, I may need to lap up a quick drinka water now and then, but bet your bottom dollar you will tire out before I do.

I mean, come on, there's so much to be happy about.  I ain't never gotta put on clothes.  Gotta pee?  Poop?  No problem.  Hey, don't get mad - wait a week or so and see how dadgum green the grass is where I pooped.

If you do tire out first, all good.  I'll just practice fetching sticks, or maybe give a squirrel a heart attack scurrying him up a tree. I could stop and communicate with all my friends in the neighborhood.  Ain't gotta text, email.. we simply bark hello.  Gotta check occsionally and make sure it's all good in the doggyhood.

That backscratcher you bought at Dollar General?  Ha!  All I needta do is rollover on my back, twist, turn - presto, the acorns and baby sticks help.. and carpet, yum, carpet works too (dang I miss shag carpet though)...

Offended that I maybe didn't like what you offered up for dinner?  Not too worry, I just might wait a bit, but it's a promise when I'm hungry, I'll eat it (and be thankful.)

I'm happy.  Why not? I live a dog's life.  Yum.  Door open, I'll run like someone left the gate open.  And what's with this negative connotation to 'dog ears'.  (His homework was 'dog-eared').. I LOVE my ears.  See? I put 'em up at attention when you talk to me.  Just behind the feel of that backscratchin' on my own is when you rub my ears.   Mesmerize me, I'll tap my tail to your beat.  And I would NEVER eat your homework!

I love getting dirty.  I ain't no prissy-sissy.  Mud, ponds, rivers, lakes, creeks - I'm in, and all-in. You won't need no Tide Pods, just hose me off.

Your side of the bed?  The other's side of the bed?  BORING!  Let's snuggle all night.  I'll lay next to ya, on toppa ya, simply to show my love - and maybe too so I'll be sure to wake up when you wake up.

I like easy chairs, sofas, loveseats, even the floor.  Ya ain't gotta run off to Nebraska Furniture Mart every time you paint the living room, get bored with 'same ole' - I'm happy with whatever we have in the room.  I even like jumping up on the coffee table.

Red, blue, Trump, Trump-hater, Christian, Muslim, Jew, Atheist, big, small, fat, skinny, pretty, pretty ugly, white, yellow, red, black?  Take me to the doggy park - I'll teach you a lesson on how to get along with those that are differn't.  We are family, I got all my Sitters (and Beagles, Labs, Canardlys) with me. Get up every doggy and sing.

Ya know how you bought that gym membership, but you drive right past it on the way to Piggly Wiggly all the time?  Don't waste your money any longer.  Buy a leash, let's go.  I'll pull, lead, smell stuff on this side, that side (just to make sure the path is safe for you) and I'll happily go, any, every time.

Don't mind me staring at you.  It's what I, we, dogs do.  I adore you, even if you ain't perfect.  I look past that.  I know too there will be times I don't getta go with you.. and you may be gone for a bit.  It's ok.  I'll listen for you.  I'll watch for you.  And, back to Iraq, Afghanistan, vacation, I'll love you each and every time you come home and never get mad at you.

And when I, old Yeller, get all old and gray - don't worry.  I won't gripe about the weather, the Government, "Pups nowadays."  My love for you is constant.  Eternal.  I may trudge about a bit slower, but the tail will always wag at 78 speed.  I am loyal, hear me snore.

All I ask in return is that you crank up a little Bach or Beethoven come 4th of July time.  Oh, and the pound.  That's the only place I ain't gonna tag along with you.  The Vet? Ah, Ok, but not to the pound.

I love being a dog.  Mostly, and more importantly, I love you, whoever you are.

Love, Dogturd

On the 12th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me.... (I was bored, sorry)

You forgot didn't you....

Twelve drummers drumming....

Dozen.  The dime was introduced in 1795.  Tweren't too long after, vendors started advertising all kinda food goodies (apples, peaches, eggs, oranges) as "Dime a dozen."  Sure, dime went a lot further back then, but, still meant abundent in quantity and/or very cheap, something that's easily acquired.

I was gonna share the 'why' as to eggs are sold as a dozen, but it really ain't very interesting.  Oh, ok damnit:  "Under a system that came to be known as English units, which was a combination of old Anglo-Saxon and Roman systems of measurement, eggs were sold by the dozen. It made sense to sell them that way because one egg could be sold for a penny or 12 for a shilling, which was equal to 12 pennies. "  Seez? Toldya.  You just wasted 12 seconds of your life reading that.  Sorry (but it was your call.)

I read the news today oh boy - and I came to my Horoscope, Libra.  First thought was "Is/are 1/12th of the folks on the planet suspected/supposed to have a day just like me?" Why 12?  Something about the position of the planets and the sun and the moon on the Ecliptic at the moment of birth,  Earth, Wind and Fire mighta been in the definition too, but then again, I think mebbe that's a musicial group and it was actually Air, Fire, Water and Earth and me and you and a dog named Boo..  The difference in Astronomy and Astrology?  Who cares.  Kinda like soccer.  Least to me anyways.

"In all my work, I try to say - 'You may be given a load of sour lemons, why not try to make a dozen lemon meringue pies"  That "Maya" lady.....

Clock on the wall has 12 hours.  We gots 12 months a year.  Twelve inches in a foot.  (Band camp, long ago, friend of mine worked in the ER at a local hospital.  "COME HERE COME HERE" she said loudly in the breakroom.  "YOU GOTTA SEE THIS!!  Ok, the patient had a ruler tattooed on his uh huh.  And no, I didn't ask if an inch really equaled an inch.  Just thought bizarre.  12 dozen is gross BTW.

In that one song, George Thorogood orders a total of 12 bourbons, scotches and beers.

Jacob has 12 sons, Jesus 12 disciples,  Twelve tribes were started after Moses led his people out of Egypt.  Twelve is also XII.  The largest number with one syllable?  Yep, twelve. Under British law, one can buy at pet at 12.  (I wish they'd do the same and make kids wait for cell phones here until 12.)

"If there are nine guys auditioning and they're all gorgeous, I have an advantage, because gorgeous guys are a dime a dozen. But if they need someone else - like a goofy guy with bad hair who is just okay - then that's me. And finally, the other 2 percent who audition are geniuses that I could never touch. "  Tom Hanks

Twelve men have walked on the moon.  The Beatles had 12 studio albums.  Our bodies have 12 cranial nerves, 12 ribs, and 12 systems. Twelve knights were seated at King Arthur's roundtable.  On the color wheel, there are 12 basic hues.  

"Man who bring home a dozen roses has ulterior motive."  Victurd

Carpenter's ruler has 12 subdivisions, pharmacists and jewelers use the 12 ounce-pound, miners divide shillings into 12 pence, and bakers who dropped outta school in 4th grade give out one too many a donut.

"People have asked me a lot of times, because I didn't hit a lot, how long a dozen bats would last me.  Depending on the weight and the model I was using at the time, I would say 8 to 10 cookouts." Bob Uecker.

Sold as 12: Beer.  Pop.  Condoms.  I just report it, i don't write it.  Oysters.  Golf balls (6 for Saturday, 6 for Sunday).  12 face cards in a deck.  In bowling, a perfect game is, uh huh, 12 strikes.

Almost twelve o'clock, I'm outta here.

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways..... uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, otcho, nueve, diez, once, doce.

By Henry Gibson the XII-th....

Love, Victurd