Speak no evil

The rule for my generation...

If you can't say anything good

then don't say anything at all. 

Genetic Memory

Memories locked in our DNA,  passed down from ancestors. 

Ever wonder ...

Why you feel like you've been someplace before, but you've never been there... but you know what's around the next corner?

Why you're strongly attracted to an historical event?

Why you have a unrealistic fear or phobia about something?

Why you have strong feelings about negative emotional events in the past... before you were even born?

Does your personality not only reflect influences in your life, but also strong influences in the lives of your ancestors? 

Genetic Memory in your DNA... explains much.

Don't worry

No need to worry... you can't do anything about it anyway.

How will humanity end? The possibilities are literally endless.

Civilizations? ... Global extermination? ... Planetary Annihilation?

Extreme global warming ... Extreme global cooling

Volcanic winters... Massive earthquakes ... Crop failures

Tornados, Floods, Tsunamis, Droughts, Plagues, Hurricanes.

Man made... wars, contaminations, exhausted resources.

Artificial intelligence that becomes its own species, eradicating humans.

Earths atmosphere is ripped away,... Solar radiation exterminates all life.

Alien life forms take over the earth enslaving or exterminating humanity.

Planet killer asteroids causing mass extinction (another historical repeat)

Destruction of our sun, the planet or the moon.

Black holes absorb our solar system.

Ozone depletes and we all burn up.

Deadly viruses from space via asteroids.

Mutation of the human genome pool.

Man made viruses wipe out all but the powers to be and politicians... wait, where's the justice in that?

Earths magnetic poles reverse or cease to exist, worldwide catastrophe.

Or we simply refund police & military and 20% of the population wipes out the other 80%... or nuclear war just kills us all. 

Told you... no sense worrying... 

Now that I've brightened up your day... enjoy existence.

Healthy choices

Making healthy choices...

How many times do you go into a store, knowing exactly you want... only to be confronted with an unimaginable variety of choices to overwhelm you in every way, totally voiding not only your intended choice, but also the decision making ability to actually make a final choice. You now have a blank stare into the oblivion of choices and your brain goes into overload shutdown.
OMG... Where's the cookies? Right?

Flying Squirrels

Had one of these years ago... The Yankee Flipped bird feeder. Probably called something else now... politically correct cancel culture and all. Birds could land on the feeder bar, and being light, their weight wouldn't activate the motor. Squirrels being heavier would activate the motor, spin the perch bar, and away they would spin.  Fun to watch them trying to hold on spinning around and around for maybe two minutes until it flung them off. Even more funny as they repeated the process over and over. Annoying squirrels at the feeder were now entertaining. Just one of the simply joys in life.

Vaccine

Reaction to the Moderna vaccine... not bad unless you have the need to work or get stuff done... Otherwise,  lounging, lazy, napping, I don't care about anything except food, sleep, and leave me alone. But, not as miserable as a cold.

R.I.P.

R.I.P.

Not completely dead... but close.

Toxic Society has posted anything and everything controversial to render the premise of friends keeping in touch almost completely devoid of friendly communication. Topics that, to my belief, and apparently to many others, belong somewhere other than Facebook.

Full of controversy and advertisements, it has driven most people to stop posting or to leave the format completely. Sadly its no longer the format for friends simply keeping in touch. Some good friends hang on to the original concept... but clearly everyone has been affected by the toxic content. 

Disney Anyone?

Disney World Anyone?

We were fortunate enough to be at Disney from 2004 - 2012 as part time seasonal cast members. Rving gave us the ability to stay in the area for 5-6 months every winter. Being cast members we had the added benefit of being able to get into all four theme parks whenever we wanted. Generally we'd go into the parks 3-4 times every week... even if for only a few hours. So over the years we pretty much got to see absolutely everything multiple times.  Our cast member Id's also got us access to all the Disney Resort hotels, stays with discounts, and access to the two water parks and mini golfs with discounts. Id's also got us discounts on merchandise and dining. All in all, a great experience. The perks and discounts were much greater than the pay for actually working. 
Seen it all... Done it all. Also seen all the many changes over the years. 
Some good, some questionable, some not so good, and some very disappointing. And while there's still a lot of Magic at Disney, too many things have changed to tarnish the Magic for us. Too many things simply eliminated. Too many things changed not to our liking. Too many things cut back on or completely stopped.  Then there's the whole money thing... Prices continue to sky rocket... You pay more to get less... and Disney continues to find more and more ways to charge extra money for extra benefits. At one time mostly everyone was on a level playing ground... all paying the same price and getting the same benefits. Now, those that have extra money,  lots of extra money, can by extra benefits like extra fast passes and special packages for tours and dinners that include priority seating to shows and special access to attractions. Money talks and those on budgets wait in longer lines for everything, and sit with the crowded masses, not in preferred seating. Disney hotel guests get special benefits over those that stay off property and locals with annual passes. 
So... we enjoyed having been at Disney World during what we would call the sweet spot in time... now there's to many things have changed of eliminated.  We will probably never return to the Disney that once was truly Magical. Favorite familiar things are gone. We were in a unique situation to see so much, for so long... so the changes for us are dramatic. Those that visit 2 weeks every few years would not notice the drastic changes. 
Thankful that we got to experience Disney World during the best of times. Great memories.  

A happy life

A happy life....

Just to think... we grew up less than ten miles of each other.  Shopped in many of the same stores. Ate in many of the same places. Probably went to some if the same events. But as teenagers, I wouldn't have given her a second look. For went I was 16, she was only 12 ... 18 verses 14. Our paths were never to cross until later in life.

And what a wonderful life that has been. So many memories. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect life with the one that completes me in every way. 

Thank you for giving me the best years of my life. Sometimes, day to day life seems a bit routine but the joy, happiness, and memories still keep coming. We have made each other better well rounded soul mates, and look forward to making the rest of our lives just as happy. While 5th grade, the teacher asked everyone what they wanted to be when grown up. There were all the typical answers... mine was to simply be happy. Life has taken various paths, with life altering directions... but I've always been happy. Being with Shelly makes that happy life a reality.

Shot twice

Yep... took myself out of harms way... and got shot twice.

Twice in 4 weeks.

The moderna vaccine shot.

First shot... no reaction at all.

The second shot...
Day 1: no side effects except mild soreness in arm.

Day 2: Extremely tired, slept most of the day.

Day 3: Again extremely tired & sleepy

Day 4: Not as tired but upset stomach.

Day 5: Feeling more normal but somewhat achy.

Day 6: Back to normal. 

Feel better having gotten the vaccine verses being unprotected. 
Still going to wear mask in public, practice social distancing, 

Wash hands frequently,  and use hand sanitizer.

Still planning to limit public interactions. 
Still better to safe than sorry.

Was concerned about infection and recovery.

But mostly concerned of long term, rest of life health issues from covid complications particularly lungs/breathing. 

Shots in central Virginia were given without issues and the procedures used were very efficient. 

Arrived at appointment time (5 minutes early)...

Checked in at door, screened inside for information, 

and sitting at one of the nurses stations

right at my 9:30 appointment time to get the shot.

15 minutes wait for any reactions then out the door. 
Second shot same procedure but no wait reaction time.

In and out in 7 minutes total. 
Very pleased with their efficiency. 

Hope y'all do well with getting the shot.

Truly can't wait for all this to be over. 

Lighter side

On the lighter side... 

given today's drama...

We're all need a lighter side. 

This week's movies! 

Understand?

Understand?  Nope!

Survey said...

Too much?

Too much? If this is to much... 

I could share a few.

Orange

Orange you feeling better...

(sorry, couldn't resist)

Cloudy

Cloudy, gloomy, and misty.

It's also quiet & peaceful.

Escape from human drama.

Skyline Drive, Virginia 

Break time

Break time... Sometimes, ya need a break to feel better.

Ya need... 

Is there anything that people Don't have a problem with?

Anything at all?

On the lighter side...

Social Issues

Sometimes...ya need to vent...

DISCLAIMER:  THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED HERE ARE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF OFFERING ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW. YOU CAN TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. AGREE OR DISAGREE.

IF YOU ARE EMOTIONALLY OR INTELLECTUALLY OFFENDED BY ANY POINT OF VIEW THAT DIFFERS FROM YOUR OWN THAN READ NO FURTHER AND GAVE A GREAT DAY. 

The ongoing political and social debate about gun control. 
Why is there even a debate... let alone social turmoil over this issue.

YES, some specific types of weapons should be restricted for sale.

BUT... the entire debate on gun control truly has little merit or a possibility of actually solving any issues. 

Similarly, laws against illegal drugs gave done little to keep people from getting illegal drugs. Gun laws will fair no better to keep criminals from getting guns... any type of gun. Why do people believe that gun laws will solve the illegal criminal use of weapons to kill others? In reality, how could any rational person believe that gun laws will stop gun crimes and killings? It's a fantasy of false hope.

Everyone is entitled to believe what they will. Reality is something entirely different. LAWS ARE NOT GOING TO GET THE GUNS FROM THE CRIMINALS. LAWS ARE NOT GOING TO STOP THE KILLINGS.

I respect your right to believe as you wish,  and in accordance with your beliefs and convictions,  I would not use my guns, that offend you, to defend you. But rest assured, I have no faith in laws to make guns illegal, nor that criminals could be detered from getting the guns. There are laws on the books now that clearly do nothing to stop the killings. 

So I guess you can see where this is going. 

Agree of disagree. Live in reality or fantasy. Life is full of choices. 

And people want to defend all police

( see how that works out )

About Me

About Me... why? 

Perhaps it's because when I was younger I didn't talk to my grandparents about their life. For that matter, not much is known about own my parents prior to me being born. 

Probably the same from one generation to the next.
Nothing is known about great grandparents at all. 

So here's to one day,  that grandchildren, great grandchildren,  and perhaps beyond may know more about me. Probably wishful thinking, but who knows. 
What I do know about grandparents.  By the time I was 5 years old, I only had one grandparent alive, my mothers father,  which I still know very little about. They all lived in Baltimore as adults. 
It was said that my ancestry was Dutch & German on my mothers side, and Irish on my fathers side. Traced the family name to Ireland but lost the connection.... just bits and pieces. 
Having Irish blood explains some things. 
Both of my parents were born late in their parents life, as was myself. So my grandparents were already old when I was born... hence them passing away while I was very young.

By the time I was 18, everyone had died except my mother and her father. My father,  3 grandparents, aunts, uncles and even cousins had all passed. Growing up I seemed to be in a funeral home at least once every year. I really don't care for funeral homes or the smell of roses. Roses were so popular at funeral homes, the fragrance of roses always permeated the entire funeral home. Hence, the smell of rises is associated with death. Go figure.

About Me... installment #1.

Me? I was first called Ricky

Then as I got older Rick, then Rich,

and Richard as an adult.

Thinking of going back to Rick.

Born in the 1950s, I was part of the "baby boomers" born after WWII.

Grew up in the rural area outside of Baltimore. A row home development in a community of blue collar workers. 
Pretty much most of the dads worked for General Motors, General Electric, Bethlehem Steel, or the Railroads.

My dad worked for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. 
Growing up in a tight knit blue collar community, all the neighbors were close, and living in a mixed community, there was no racism or discrimination... we all played together. 
This was indeed a great way to grow up... social interaction and social development with lots of friends and always lots to do. 
Elementary school was 3/4 of a mile way, so we were all walkers.
Hot, cold, wet, dry,  snow or sand, it was always fun to walk home with friends. Playing was always an outside activity unless it was raining. When it got dark and the street lights came on we had to be  in the yard.  Being an only child my brothers and sisters were the kids next door. Tv was black and white with only 3 channels via a rabbit ear antenna... 1 clear channel and 2 a bit fuzzy. Cowboy and westerns dominated tv & movies and later gave way to military shows. Variety shows on TV were a favorite with the parents. And there was only one tv in the living room. Music was via a radio or a record player. Board games were king for indoor fun. Baseball, hide n seek, and swimming pool time passed the summer away.

We walked or rode our bikes everywhere. 
Life was good.

(to be continued)

The kids on our block...

The kids at school...

That's me in the front center (red & white shirt).

Two girls I was sweet on... 

Janet (sitting just left of me)

Sandy (just the the left of the teacher)

My moms 1960 chevy station wagon

that we all went everywhere in.

But that's another story.

Alone time

Sometimes ya needed some alone time. 

Point of views

Point of views. 
Society today... points of view are almost always narrow or at extremes. There's no middle ground, no gray areas, no contributing factors... just the extreme points of view. And while points of view are at absolutely extremes, life is never absolute... everything in life is in varying degrees a gray area, not absolute extremes. Hence the main problem/social issues... everyone is at extremes on views and most don't see anything beyond their extreme view. Nor can they accept anyone else that has an opposing view. Nor can either simply compromise to see any middle ground... or simply let things go. They must argue to convince others to show that they are right, and you are wrong. Hence the phrase... "toxic society". 

 

Shootings by police... some would say that there are no circumstances that would justify police shootings or resulting deaths (usually of a criminal element).
In some cases this may be true...

Okay...

Just a thought to consider (take from it what you will)... while anyone that is killed in a police confrontation is a tragedy in varying degrees... everything seems to be to the extremes. Either totally to blame or totally innocent. In some cases the safety of police and other people have to be a major consideration. And while this is not always the case, contributory responsibility for an outcome of someone involved in criminal activity, violently resisting arrest, and putting others in eminent life-threatening danger... well, no matter the outcome, they share or bare the burden of responsibility for their actions and the outcome. Society today views the reasons for any outcome as total blame or total innocence, but its generally somewhere between in the vast extremes where both parties share responsible. 

In a separate issue, if someone breaks into my house, and puts myself or family in eminent danger... they made a choice... they made a decision... they made and took the life & death risk... and the last thing they should see is the muzzle flash. 

But that's just me. Everyone is entitled to think as they will.
No judgment.  

Note: its also difficult to express ones thoughts in written form without the risk of any misinterpretation... unlike a personal conversation which includes  body language, mannerisms, and expressions.... or additional explanation or clarification.

  
 

They look hungry...

Do not feed the bears...

Chinese Food

Today feels like a Chinese food kinda day.

I think...