Bare it 03.11.16

            No, I did not misspell the word! It is there in an effort to get your attention, in hopes that you read this soon to be, well written article. At this point in time, I have no idea what the subject of this article will be, but I did think the cat sleeping with the bears, was kind of cute.

Gabi and Alex were watching TV and had deposited the two bears on the floor. Charlie decided to take a nap with the bears. 

            Yesterday, Gabi and Alex took me out to Do it Best to have lunch with their dad. The odd part about this outing was, I had to pay for the lunches.

            Today is Friday and we are still expecting more rain here in Hewitt. The rain gage has indicated over 4 inches of the wet stuff this week thus far, and the prognosticator just stated that we could enjoy an additional inch today. They have implied that the rain will leave us tomorrow, and we should be in the 80s with sun shine on Sunday.

            They must have the sunshine for Sunday, due to the fact that daylight saving time will begin Sunday morning. Remember toforward and lose an hour of sleep this weekend.

Have a nice weekend!

Don Ford

Rain, rain 03.10.16

            Rain, rain go away, come again some other day, the Donald wants to play!

            Wouldn’t you know it, I put a sprinkler system in at the garden and then it rains every day since the final installation. In the last two days we have accumulated 4 inches of rain and, it is still raining. I can’t be sure but when I look out the back window, it appears that the tomato plants all have life jackets on.

            This week is spring break, the kids are here at The Ford Homestead and can’t go outside. It has also turned off rather cool with temperatures down in the upper 50s. I put shorts and a T shirt on this morning, assuming that it would be as warm today, as it has been the last few days. My spouse of almost 47 years will not allow me to change into warmer pants and a long sleeved shirt, saying she did not want to wash additional clothing do to my poor choices.

            The grandees are watching cartoons in the front room, and I can’t find anything that I want to watch on my TV, so I am watching the weather channel.

            Spring break would be more fun, if the weather would be warm and dry.

            I took the wife’s van in yesterday for a recall, I was there almost 5 minutes and they said it was fixed and I should get lost. Best service I have ever had!

            I am taking the Ford’s Chevy in today for its first warrantee work. Can you believe I have had the vehicle only 5 months and one of the license plate lights is burnt out, or at least it don’t work? I guess all vehicles have problems.

            The dealership where I purchased the Colorado has changed its name. The name change kind of seemed odd to me, I think it is Auto Nation or something to that effect.

            I called the dealership and a female voice answered. I asked for service and was transferred to another female voice who, again asked, how may I direct your call. I again said, service please. I was transferred to their on hold message which I found annoying.

After about 2 minutes my call was put in to someone’s voice mail box, and it was a female voice which did not state whether she was in service or not. I hung up.

I called again and this time I asked, when did you all get a new name? It was effective Feb 1^st was the reply. She asked how could she help me and I said this is my second call for service, her comment was hold please. Again, a second female voice answered, how may I direct your call? I again stated this is my second try for service, the reply was hold please and this time I was transferred to a live person.

I now have an appointment for Thursday morning 8:00am (I am writing this on Wednesday afternoon as I am bored with the rain and cool weather and have nothing productive to do). It would be nice if during my visit to the dealership, I could be lucky enough to speak to someone who cares about the customers that call in. I am always willing to help the low information business people, improve their operation.

Ok, I will tell you just a couple things that would help. Going through multiple operators would come to a complete halt, immediately! I am fairly sure that the first operator is located at their national headquarters, in an effort to keep track of the number of calls received for each of their dealerships and to which department these calls were for.

Next, I would make sure each voice mail box would not only have a name of the individual, but also a short message such as, “You have reached name-name, in the service department please leave your name and number and I will return your call, Thank You”.

What? Yes there is another problem that I want fixed.  I think I have a tire out of balance because when I was driving at 65 to 70 the other day there was a slight shimmy in the front end.

I also wanted to ask about the exhaust system. When I let the vehicle warm up on the drive way on cold morning there is water that drips out of the muffler. I was told by a friend it is probably supposed to do that but have it checked anyway. 

Different subject:

            I ordered some lawn fertilizer from the DIB. Yes you are correct, I should have put it down before this rain. One can’t be perfect all the time.

Different subject:

            Words that are contractions, two words made in to one, (if you happen to have forgotten) are not equal.               Are not / aren’t,    was not / wasn’t, these seem to be treated as equals. Let’s examine the word, “Cannot”, when contracted. Logic would dictate it be spelled “cann’t” but it isn’t. Why did they decide to leave the second “n” out of this contraction?  They should come to me before they decide these things. 

Be happy and healthy, you cann’t get much better than that!     

Don Ford

Camo 03.09.16

            Camouflage isn’t only for the military or hunters, it works in the neighborhood setting too! I, being an innovator in many areas, have used camouflage here at The Ford Homestead. I use a camo tarp to cover the utility trailer and my riding mower, and these tarps seem to remove the object from view.

            No they don’t disappear, but they are much less noticeable to the passerby.

            I have brought this to your attention because I feel, I must do my part to educate the public in many areas not provided by your Liberal Government ran schools, and your liberal, so-called news media.

            As you should know, if you have read recent postings, I have manufactured a sprinkler system for the enormous garden here at The Ford Homestead. This system is made from a white colored PVC pipe and it is all one sees, when looking at the garden.

            I have experimented in camouflaging the system. There are three sprinklers that stand about 30inches high. I have applied Camo color to the upright parts of the system which has effectively provide a not visible effect. I have not yet applied camo to the pipe on the ground.

  

            I am thinking of using camo on all white things in the back yard. Do you think the shed would look good in Camo color?

Changing colors now, or you might say, new subject.

            I have found two penny’s over the last couple days and they were both heads up. Why is this important information, you ask? Since the beginning of our marriage, Donna and I have had good luck or something nice happening when we would find a heads up penny.

            The first of the two heads up pennies may have been there to help me with the opportunities during my mowing adventure.

            The second heads up penny may have been used yesterday. I have an air compressor and when I open the valve that allows air to the air hose, there is a leak, which will cause the compressor to kick on and off occasionally. I had purchased a new quick connect, assuming it was causing the leak. I was getting ready to remove the quick connect when I discovered the valve that connects to the quick connect was the problem.

            I decided to go to town and get a new valve at the world famous Harbor Freight Tool store. Arriving I walked directly to the location where the valve should be kept. The bin was empty. Yes they had other sizes but not the one I needed. I found a clerk and asked if he would check the computer. The computer indicated an inventory of 10 each. He went to the back to get me a valve.       They had none.

            This has happened to me several times in the past, where the computer indicated they had several of an item but they did not. This company would do well to hire an inventory control person.

            Heart broken, I drove home with the occasional tear in my eye.

            I decided to put the old parts back on the compressor which would help me not lose them. I carefully examined and cleaned each part of the valve (two plastic seats and one metal ball valve) and replaced them properly. As I did this I tighten the nut that kept the handle on.

            Everything reinstalled, I turned the compressor back on and tried the valve. It worked! Yeah, I am a great mechanic. The valve does not leak when fully on, or fully off, but it does leak when half way on, I still need a new valve but not immediately.

                          

Different topic:

            The grand kids or on spring break and staying with us this week. Have you ever thought about why there is a spring break? We here at, “The Ford Foundation for Investigative Review of things that just don’t seem to have a reason”, have studied the phenomenon.

            In an effort to save time, I will try to get to the point rather than provide you with all the research details. The reason for spring break is simple, it is for the teachers!

            It is less expensive to give the teachers a week off, than it is to pay for their visits to the psychologist.             Kids drive teachers crazy!      People that want to be teachers, may be crazy before they get the job!

The grand kids rode their scooters to the end of the street. I don’t have a scooter and I had to stay home.

Spring forward this weekend!

^{Daylight savings time change}

Don Ford

Listening 102 by Don Ford

Introduction:

            Listening is not enough, if you do not get the complete information. You should understand, being in a leadership role you are dependent on subordinates to provide you with most information, regardless of where you are on the ladder.

                        Do you get reliable information?

                        Do you get complete information?

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            The most accurate information comes from the source. Your position may not allow you to always have access to the source. Thus, you must rely on subordinates to provide the information. This is where info may go astray.

            Let’s say you are a General Manager and one of your Department Managers came to you explaining, William has a concern.

The concern is presented to you, “William said, he was not happy with the placement of a new item, he says it is too difficult to reach”. You ask your Department Manager, “What is your opinion about the item placement”. The Manager says, “We didn’t have a lot of room and that location was open, you know William, he is always complaining about something”. With that information, you shrug your shoulders and take no action.

Here are some additional facts that you did not receive.

William, the worker in this story, does comment often about situations in the work area. These comments are often focused at making his work easier, faster and safer, which by the way is good for the company. 

The following is the complete statement that William presented to his Department Manager.        

William to the Manager, “did you see where they located the 50 pound box of nails? It is on the floor location, which makes it very difficult and unsafe, when we have to reach into the back of the location which is under the rack. It is heavy and should be moved to a location that will allow us to stand up when filling the order, making it easier and safer!”

The reason for this story is to point out, people in positions of authority often receive modified input. Modified is defined as, an intentional or unintentional editing of a complete statement.

What reasons could influence this communication malfunction?

Poor listening technique.       Failed to ask questions.          Was in a hurry.

Had something else on their mind.    Believed the employee to be a complainer.

What can we take from the above story line?

            Had William and his Department Manager received adequate safety training, both would have emphasized safety, when discussing that item.  

            The department manager did not listen properly to the comments from William. Are there reasons for not listening properly? Yes there are reasons for not listening, none of which are acceptable.

            The General Manager was also at fault. The GM could have asked for more details, should have recognized some prejudice by the Department Manager when he commented, “William is always complaining about something”.

Thought:

            Managers at all levels, should allot an amount of time from their busy work day to being in contact with, and communications with their subordinates. This would include in part, meetings with staff, walking through departments, thanking staff for safe work practices such as proper lifting etc., greeting staff, reviewing work flow, finding unsafe situations, security of property and staff.

All levels of management must rely on information from a team of subordinates. That makes it imperative they build, or rebuild, their team carefully! Review your team often! Gather information about your team and use it wisely.

Discussion:

Thank You     

Was it good, or was it bad 03.07.16

In response to a critic, I have prepared a summary of this posting.

Read the summary and you don’t need to read the entire posting, you are welcome!

Summary: Was it a day from hell, no, it was a day that allowed me to solve problems. I was able to use the skills I have acquired over the years, staying in a positive frame of mind. Each time a problem occurred I took it as a challenge and made the best of the situation (lemonade from lemons).

When you feel as if you are going to be upset, stop for a second and smile! You will not believe how much a smile helps you stop being upset! Then with the smile on your face, in kind of a laughing mode say something like, “If that is the worse that happens, it isn’t too bad!”

Summary complete, you may stop reading now and go outside for recess.

The question I had about an entire day is, “what was it”? Was it a day from hell, or something else? You can help me decide.

This day began like most others except, I did not take the grand kids to school. Their mother took the day off as it was Alex’ birthday, and she was going to have lunch with him at school.

           The boy is six years old, which means he will be old enough to drive in only 10 years!

            Back to my story, it was a little before lunch when I decided to make a list of things I wanted to purchase in town this afternoon, after I do a few chores. I ate a quick lunch and immediately went outside to face the forced labor that is required of me, or else! 

            What were these forced labors, mowing and weed eating The Ford Homestead grounds. Venturing out of the house I was more than surprised that the neighbor, just to the south of me, was working in his yard. He actually picked up the limbs from his front and back yard, and was using his string trimmer, attempting to remove weeds from around his house and fence.

            Proceeding to my shed, I decided to remove the riding mower battery from the solar charger, which is in the shed, and re-install the battery in the mower. Being mechanically inclined, I knew that installing the battery would take a couple minutes and I would be ready to mow.

            That plan went south when I connected the positive wire to the battery. What happened you may ask, there was a small spark? To the untrained, that might not seem important, but to a person of my unquestionable knowledge, that spark was bad news. There should not have been a spark when properly connecting the battery terminals.

            Reviewing the battery connections, I find that someone must have placed the battery in the compartment backwards. Who was messing around with my battery?

            I then removed the battery and placed it back into the compartment properly, I double checked the installation before reconnecting the wires. I confidently mounted the mower, inserted the key, set the choke and turned the key. NOTHING!

            I now assumed that a fuse was blown. Where is the fuse located? I looked under the hood but nothing, then I got down on the ground looking at the underside of the mower. Seniors should not be crawling around on the ground. Not finding the fuse I decided to get up off the ground and go back to the garage to find the booklet for the mower.

            I have a large clear plastic tote in which I deposit all booklets and info about all the items we purchase. It took a few minutes of searching before I found the instruction manual for the mower. Another 5 minutes of reviewing the booklet I found that the fuse was supposed to be located under the fender. 

            Armed with this information, I proceeded back out to the mower and again got down on the ground and looked under the mower’s fender. There was no fuse under the fender. I decided to remove the battery again (third time) and see if there is a fuse in the battery compartment.

            Found it! I removed the fuse and it was blown. Now I needed a 20 amp fuse. Heading back to the garage I began to search through my fuse collection. Fuse found, I returned to the mower and installed the fuse. After reinstalling the battery I again remounted the mower, inserted the key and turned it. The mower did nothing!

            Now what? Being a person that never loses his cool, I decided to go back to the garage, for the 43^rd time, and check the instruction manual for a second fuse, and get a drink of water.

            All this time my so called neighbor was mowing and trimming his yard.

            No additional fuses found, I put the manual back in the tote then replace the tote. I returned to the mower and again mounted it. I checked all the controls and found that the mowing blade was engaged, and the mower will not start with the blades engaged. Controls set, I again tried to start the mower, and it started!

            Finally, I am mowing the yard. 30 minutes later, I was putting the mower away. (Note, there was an additional 30 minutes used in preparation of the mower.) Having completed the first part of the labor I went to the shed and acquired the weed eater. After adding gas I started the unit and began trimming the weeds and grass along the fence and around all the things in the back yard.

            Back yard completed I immediately proceeded to the driveway and front yard. That is when the string ran out. Now I had to return to the shed to get more string (57 trip to shed). Installing the string isn’t the easiest thing to do in an old string trimmer.

            A couple tries and a few minutes later I returned to the front yard and started the trimmer. All went well for most of the yard and then the string messed up again. There is a chair on the front porch to sit in while attempting to solve this problem. After a few attempts I again had the string installed and was back at the trimming. There are two strings on this trimmer and one broke. I now know that I will need a new head for this trimmer, but I was able to get through the rest of the yard.

            After returning the trimmer to the shed, I procured the leaf blower. It had plenty of gas so I headed for the drive way. I attempted to start the blower and the rope that is pulled to start the unit would not retract.

            I went into the garage to sit in the shade and work on this unit. I removed a few screws and was able to get the rope to retract. The blower started and I was able to get all the leaves and grass off the driveway, street and walk.

            Everything done and equipment put away I headed for the house to get a shower and head for town to do some necessary shopping.

            While I was in the shower my phone was ringing. No I did not jump out of the shower to answer the phone, I continued removing the debris from my body. Once I was clean I checked the phone message and it was from my son reminding me of an intimate group birthday party for Alex.

            I decided that going to town was now out of the question. I assumed the position in my recliner and awaited the arrival of my present wife.

Was it a day from hell, no, it was a day that allowed me to solve problems. I was able to use the skills I have acquired over the years, staying in a positive frame of mind. Each time a problem occurred I took it as a challenge and made the best of the situation (lemonade from lemons).

When you feel as if you are going to be upset, stop for a second and smile! You will not believe how much a smile helps you stop being upset! Then with the smile on your face, in kind of a laughing mode say something like, “If that is the worse that happens, it isn’t too bad!”

Each day is what we make of it. We can solve problems and continue through the day in a positive mode, or we can become upset and mad at the world, it’s our choice.

Personally, I enjoy a day where I accept a few challenges and continue in a positive manner, rather than becoming upset at myself and the world and complaining all day. No one wants to be around a complainer!

                                                                                                             

This positive day ended in an even more positive mode when we had supper with David, Claire, Gabi and the birthday boy, “Alex”.  
                    (Alex’s favorite color is green a good Irish lad)

Accept the day as a challenge, be positive,
smile a little, you will be happier, 
you may live longer!

Don Ford

Finished 03.04.16

            Finished, I don’t think so! Have you thought about the word finished, it basically means, “The End”?             Nope, I am not finished, but I have made a lot of progress. How could a senior person, on a fixed income make these astonishing advancements, you ask. Well I will tell you, I have knowledgeable advisers.

            “The Donald”, has advisers around him providing needed information, which helped him become rich.             “This Donald” (me) also have advisors, and using the information from my advisors, I am able to accomplish astonishing things.

            As an example, I had recently explained that I planted 5 tomato plants. One of my advisors, “Mr. Bob”, suggested that I install a short PVC pipe next to each of the plants, which would allow me to get water and fertilizer down to the root of the plant.   Good advice!

            In the past I had cut plastic pipe with a hack saw. This time I decided to use a saw that has been in the shed and unused for some time. The saw easily cut through the pipe and is now my go to tool, when cutting PVC.   “It is a back saw, you know, it cuts on the back stroke”.

Another example, I had decided to install a sprinkler system in my mammoth garden, which would save me time and energy in my daily forced labor (watering plants). I went to another of my many advisors, “Mr. Glen”, to learn how to build an efficient sprinkler system. Using his advice, I was able to draw plans and make a bill of materials for this massive project.

In the above photo we see pipe laid out in a pattern that mimics the proposed placement of the sprinkler system.

Assembly of the massive system will take place in the garage area at The Ford Homestead. The system is being manufactured in two sections, allowing for movement from the garage to the test area.

Testing and final adjustments will be performed in the test area, in the photo below we see the system being tested.

            The massive system, manufactured on site, disassembled and moved to the test site, reassembled and tested, disassembled again and move to the garden where final assembly occurred, system is now installed.

Note; I was able to purchase all the needed parts for less than $15.00. When I began the assembly I found that my PVC glue had gone bad. I was required to go to that hardware store that will remain nameless, to purchase glue. The glue cost $6.00 which put me way over budget.

If you send donations, my spouse of 46 years will not need to work OT, gathering aluminum cans from the road sides.

Accepting advice, from highly informed advisors,                will make all things possible!

Don Ford

Listening 101 by Don Ford

Introduction:

This short class about listening skills, will be nothing more than a reminder for some, it may be a new concept to others, and then there may be one who will believe this is a total waste of time.   

            In this session you will be provided with information as to; 

What is needed to develop good listening skills?

How you will develop good listening skills?

How to understand what is being told to you.  

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 Let’s get started with what will be a major factor of developing good listening skills. Please note that we are not attempting to explain good communication skills, we are concentrating on, “listening skills”.

I can explain the key to being a good listener in one word, “Time”!

If you don’t have the time, or if you will not take the time, you will never be a good listener.

When confronted with the question, “do you have a minute”, you should understand this person has just came to you and wants your, “undivided attention for a period of time”. Do you have a minute almost always means more than a minute.

Determine whether this is an emergency situation, or if there is a safety concern. If not, and if you do not have the time, explain that you can’t meet now, can we set and appointment to meet… 

Always keep your appointment.

The next thing in learning to be a good listener is to, “shut up”.

Let the other person talk, keep your mouth closed except to ask for clarification!

Remember, you are listening to another person provide you with information!

Do not interrupt or attempt to interject your thoughts or opinions, unless the other person asks.

How do you develop good listening skills, “Practice”!

As with any skill, practice helps you develop that skill. A good place to practice is when you are with family or friends. Some may find it more difficult to listen to family or friends without interjecting their thoughts. It is likely, if you have not been a good listener with family members in the past, when you practice listening, your family will notice that you have changed.

Family will be likely to comment, something to the effect, “What’s going on, you are quieter than usual”, which will be your way of knowing that your listening skills are improving.

How to understand what is being told to you. No distractions. 

Make appropriate eye contact with the person, but do not stare.

Do not look at your phone or other device! If you are the person who looked at the phone or other device, you are not listening.

Listening without understanding, is useless. Concentrating on what is being said, is the key to listening and understanding.

Brief questions to help you understand, are acceptable interruptions. Do not present your thoughts unless asked. It is a good practice to ask for time to consider what you have just heard before responding. 

Making notes while someone is talking may help you remember what is said, but you should ask if it is ok and not a distraction to the other person.

Summary:        Take the time to listen, shut up, practice and no distractions.

Questions or Discussion?

Thank You

Jumped the Gun 03.01.16

            As you know the saying, “jumped the gun”, came from foot racing. Foot racing sounds silly, maybe I should have stated, racing, running using only their feet. Anyway, they use to shoot a gun to start the race and if someone started prior to the gun being shot, they were said to be, “jumping the gun”.

            Some may think I have jumped the gun, if I occasionally do jump the gun, I may get away with it, and then I am the winner.

Before that one person opens his mouth and asks that silly question, yes, I am too old to run a foot race, and no I am not writing about me racing with anyone. I am writing about me, getting ahead of others, and hopefully it will provide me with an exhilarating feeling of superiority. Can you imagine, a senior citizen on a fixed income, feeling superior.

I am one tired puppy this evening, I was on my hands and knees digging shallow trenches so my landscape timbers at the garden, would be partially recessed into the ground. I did this after tilling the garden again.

I just remember why my right shoulder is hurting, it is an unusual reason. I was attempting to clean the wet dirt, almost mud, off the wheels of the tiller prior to putting it into the shed. I was sitting in one of our lawn chairs in the back yard. The back yard is still somewhat wet and as I sat there one of the legs sank into the ground. As the chair went over, I was stuck between the handles of the tiller and the chair. I strained everything to get out from between the chair, as it was embedded in the ground, and a tiller that weighs about 150 pounds.

It is bed time for this sore and tired senior, I will finish this tomorrow, good night.

Good Morning! I am awake and ready for the day. I have completed my workout and had my first cup of coffee. I am ready to complete this story, if I can remember what it is about.

Guns? What was I going to say about guns? Oh, ok, the story is not about guns, it is about getting ahead of the neighbors. This is not cheating, it is, in some ways, taking a chance. Yes, it is a financial risk that I decided to take on leap day (yesterday). 

Have you thought about the names of the months? Do you have any idea how they were named? Ok, I will enlighten you. Back in the olden days they did not have a way to know if it was summer or winter. You would think all they had to do was walk outside, if it was hot then it was summer, but that wasn’t good enough.

A board for the establishment of a calendar was created. There were 12 men, no women, on the board. Each man was allowed to pick a name for a month, and then as a group they decided which month got which name. Some months were named after ladies such as April and May. Some months were named wrong such as March.

What? Why was March named wrong? Think about it, March should have been named Mortuary, and before you ask consider this, January, February, Mortuary and so on. I don’t know why they don’t ask me before they make these decisions.

But I digress, yesterday I planted 5 tomato plants. Is that jumping the gun, maybe? I believe I can protect the plants from a single freeze. If we were to get multiple days of freezing weather then all bets are off. If my plants survive March, then I have a head start on the neighbors and I will feel like a winner.

Alex has a birthday this Friday, he will be 6 years old. Just think in 10 years he will be getting a driver’s license.

Be kind to someone today!

Don Ford