I find your memories a lot like the movie,” A Christmas Story” with Ralphie. I am amazed at how different your Christmas was from mine growing up even though we had the same father. My memories of Dad are him buying the Christmas tree way too big. Dragging it home on the top of the car. Realizing after we were home that the tree was 3 feet too…[Read more]

We have quite the divide in our union, the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Sprinklerfitters. Many of the rank and file, and I mean many, supported the Orange Baboon in the last election, despite the UA leadership endorsing Biden. What the Magats didn’t know is that the leadership personally interviewed all the candidates prior to…[Read more]

With the stay at home mentality required to guarantee our continued existence, we spent a great deal of time on our screened front porch, watching life in the ‘hood. Now that cold weather has arrived, that time well spent together reading and talking about big things and little things will be sorely missed.

When John McCain ran for President in 2000, campaign reform was a predominant plank in his platform. Unfortunately, the Republican party saw that it would put an end to their corporate contributions, so they put their energies and weight behind a candidate who would continue to take money from special interests – George W. Bush.

Who wants to have sex with a pile of lizard skin anyway?

The secret to aging in later years is keeping oneself busy and feeling productive. Some days I spend just reading. But between teaching,consulting and home repairs I have more than enough to keep me busy. It’s just life at a slower pace for those of us that can’t keep up.

Given the situation in Europe (Alliances crumbling) and the chaos in our own country, I’d have to say the Vladimir Putin is a masterful manipulator. To be blunt, he is winning his war against democracy around the world. The Orange Baboon’s fealty towards him only exacerbates the situation.

Well said elder brother, well said. I am bitter that in the 50 years since Kent State, little has changed.

My brother in law, Mike, and I have a saying when our wives ask us what we plan on doing on Sundays. Somewhere, someone is hitting, catching, throwing or kicking a ball and we intend to watch them. That no longer works!

I didn’t think ANYone was allowed to wear their cap backwards.

I am reminded of two things. One is a twenty year old movie with Michael Douglas which I personally enjoy called,”Falling Down”. Douglas plays a regular American citizen who snaps under society’s thumb. He encounters a character who has been refused banking services and is picketing said bank because he “is not economically viable.”
The other…[Read more]

I was fortunate enough to be present at a union meeting some twenty tears ago where Elijah Cummings was a guest speaker. I’ve sat through a LOT of sermons and a fair amount of speeches, but I’ve never been so stirred by words spoken by another human being than I was that night. He captivated the crowd in a matter of seconds and held it tightly in…[Read more]

Being a grandfather is most awesome. The grandchildren are always happy to see you. Since you do not see them on a daily basis, the subtle changes they under go in growing up are much more discernible.

Grandparenthood is God’s reward for putting up with your own offspring and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see their offspring inflict some of…[Read more]

We installed a 6.6megawatt solar system two years ago as part of our retirement strategy. We figured we were paying for our utility costs upfront while reducing our use of fossil fuels. There were tax advantages as well.

Our only regret was not doing it sooner.

You truly are becoming a grumpy old man. New language, like technology, is passing us by. Legible handwriting and grammar are not important to this generation. While I too am prudish regarding grammar, spelling is my pet peeve. I always tell youngsters ( anyone under the age of 40) that if they can’t spell a word, they can’t use it.

No sense sending him a letter. He doesn’t read. Needs to get his security briefing in comic book form.

We are so screwed. I never thought I would miss W.