A couple thoughts 08.09.2020

            Sturgis motorcycle rally will be a big reason for a bunch of deaths. Many of the bikers are old people and as we all know; old people are more vulnerable. Heck, if you are looking for a bike just wait, there will be a bunch of motorcycles for sell in a few months!

              Speaking of bikes, a couple of the retired female neighbors have purchased bicycles, one was red, and one was green. We have seen them riding up and down the street. How long before my favorite spouse wants a bike? 

            Do you know what a subliminal message is? My definition is, “a concealed message, aka a hidden message”. It is my belief, there are several TV advertisements with subliminal messages. Some of these subliminal messages are sounds, similar to what you would hear from your cell phone. As you sit in your TV room and hear that sound, even though it is subliminal (very quiet) your attention goes to the TV, in hopes of getting you to be interested in, and or buy their product. One needs to be very observant to pick up on these messages.

 

            If school starts with 30% of the students in attendance for the first six weeks, it won't be too awful bad. With a small percentage of the students in attendance, they will be able to keep them fairly well separated. The cleaning crews will do their jobs very well.

           The problem as I see it will be the next six weeks. Parents understand that they were able to keep the students separated the first six weeks, there was very little virus spread, so a large group of parents decide to send their kids back to real school. Let’s say 60 to 70% of the kids go back to school. Now they are no longer able to keep them separated safe distances apart. The teachers and other school employees are less effective at controlling the kids, the cleaning crews are less affective (don’t do as good a job) and the virus hits with a vengeance.

           A photo of the Tres with his Tee shirt on follows. The vet recommended this to keep him from licking the incision. He is under my desk, again!

                                         

Stay safe, be happy, tomorrow we start over!

Senior explainer of difficult situations, and one-time biker, Don the Ford

Finally, a day of rest 08.08.2020

            In this day of rest, my neighbors are out mowing their yards. Maybe that is their way of resting. Why do they wait until Saturday to mow? The one neighbor has an electric mower, and he is making little or no noise, while the neighbor across the street is using a gas power mower, waking all the neighbors up with her motor noise.

            Now we get to another subject, male and females.

            On the so-called TV news this morning, they were talking about equal pay for equal work. I am in agreement with the comment, “Equal pay for equal work”, but it seldom exists.

            The TV reported, “Even though there is a law stating equal pay for equal work, females often get paid less than males, and races other than white sometimes get paid less than whites.

            Personally, I have hired hundreds of people during my years at work. I never cared whether a person was male or female and I did not care what race they were. I did want to know if they could do the work we had.

            Let me get back to the main topic of this article, Equal pay for equal work. As I had stated earlier, I am in favor of equal pay for equal work, but it seldom happens. Let’s consider a job where people are expected to do the same work for 8 hours.

            For this exercise we will consider a business that sells and installs car tires. Let’s say there are ten people who install the tires. During the 8-hour day, one employee removes, changes and installs tires on 20 vehicles. Each of the other employees remove, change, and install tires on 15 or less vehicles each.

            All ten employees are paid hourly, and all get, “Equal pay”, but, “They did not do equal work”! I know what you are thinking and you are right (for the first time). They could pay these employees based on their output, one employee does more work she gets more pay, the other employee does less work, he gets less. 

            In a work environment where there are few employees one could pay based on output. One problem with output pay is, if the work load slacked off these employees would get less pay. Then the employer might lose good employees, or they would need a base pay for all employees and additional pay for the amount of work performed.

            If the work place had a thousand employees and they all received a base pay plus pay for their output, the problem would be unrest from some employees and then you get a union.

            In a couple of the highest paying jobs here in the united states, they do not hire female employees, and no one cares! That can’t be fair, but no one cares!

            Allow me to change the subject. In my bible at the beginning of each book in the old testament they describe what is going on in the book and the approximant dates of the writing. In the book of Amos, it stated that the name Amos means, “A burden”.

            Why do I bring this up, one might ask, if they were at all interested in my writings? Well allow me to share my thought on this name, “Amos”. I had a brother named Amos and when I read the meaning of the name I wondered, did my parents have any idea of the meaning, when they named him, as they were both religious and read the bible daily.

            Amos was their first son, and I am sure he was not a burden! Now I was their last son, I snuck in 7 years after my brother Jack. I am fairly sure I was an accident, and at times I was definitely a burden!         7 years after my brother Jack and I was the 7^th child.

            My brother Jacks name was actually, “Jackie”. My mother told me when he was born, they had not selected a name for him, so they put names in a hat. My sister Wilda, put the name “Jackie” in the hat, and that is the name they drew out. They did not change it to Jack, instead they left it as Jackie.

 

            I know that at least one of you is wondering, what the high paying jobs are, that do not employee females, and you, along with everyone else, don’t care. Football and base ball pay crazy amounts of money and they don’t hire females. 

 

May you earn what you are worth!

                        ^{Not what you think you are worth, but what you are worth!}

 

Senior worthless 7^th son, and bible reader, Don the Ford

8:15 am Friday 08.07.2020

            What the heck has happened at 8:15 am on Friday? Nothing! I have done almost nothing this morning. Senior retired people have little or nothing to do, and we do it decently!

            Lets see if I can remember the one thing that I did this morning.

• Tres and I went out front and retrieve the morning newspaper.
• I had a cup of coffee, and some oat meal, what a breakfast.
• Tres took me for a 30-minute walk, I got hot and sweaty.
• I gathered needed tools from the ole garage and shed, then headed to the main black berry patch.
• I dug three holes in an open area. I learned that I have not watered enough. The dirt on top (one inch) was damp, below that it was totally dry.
• I planted three black berries; one is thorn less. 
• I started watering the black berries, the hose is running in one place for 30 minutes, then I move it a couple feet and continue for another 30 minutes.
• I then washed the dog house cleaning all the snails out of it. The dog house is for sale in our drive way. It has only been used by Alex the grandson. He would get in it and the Tres would get in with him. Tres would not use it any other time.
• I then procured a cup of real coffee and after enjoying it, I started writing this boring but informative, article about me!

            Yesterday I drove into town for a bottle. I used the drive through, they were out of the bottle I like! With tears in my eyes, I drove home empty handed.

 

            I smell something that stinks, oh it is me. I think I need to take a quick shower.

 

May your day be less boring than mine!

 

Senior workaholic, and once upon a time nice guy, Don the Ford

The Don 08.05.2020

              Which “Don” am I writing about today? There is a president whose name is Donald, or Don as a shorter version, and there is me, Donald, or Don as a shorter version. Since they talk about the president Don on TV every day, and all day, I am writing about the other Don, ME!

              A neighbor lady, and good friend, gave me a new mask with the photo of the other Don on it, to wear with my Make America Great Again hat.

              There is a lovely photo that follows, you may enjoy me!

                                         

              You are welcome!

 

              I have a photo of the Fords ole pot hound relaxing last evening. If one looks at his belly, one might see a brown line, which is the scar he received from his surgery.

                                                       

You should be nice to all Dons, most people aren’t!

              ^{Think about that comment, you might get it eventually.}

Senior non-presidential Don, but I would make a good one, Don the Ford

Tres went back to the vet 08.04.2020

              We took Tres back to the vet to get the bandage removed. They had told me to remove it just be careful. It was stuck on tight so I let them do it.

              Tres seems to be doing good, he goes back next Monday to get the staples removed. I told the vet I had a staple remover and there was dead silence on her end. Then I said, I am kidding, and she laughed! I have a photo of Tres at rest!

                                                       

              Subject change; I took a photo of the moon the other night, when Tres and I were outside for a potty break. His potty break, not mine!

                                                       

I hope someone is nice to you today!

Senior Homestead photographer and word presenter, Don the Ford

 

Drugs 08.03.2020

               Drugs seems to be the topic of this soon to be short, but brilliant article. Before you ask, no the retired drug enforcement officer who lives down the street did not give me any weed seeds. Yes, I did ask but nope, he didn’t give me any seeds.

               The drug topic goes this way. I put Tres’ pills into some chicken juice. He normally eats it quickly, but today he did not eat it. I left it in the bowl just incase he wanted to come back and take his medicine. Later as I walked by the bowl, the juice was gone. I knew the Tres had not eaten it as he was hanging with me all morning. One of the cats got some chicken juice and meds. I talked to the vet and they said they should be ok.

               Speaking of the Tres, the bandage on his belly isn’t coming off. I will take him to the vet today and they will remove it. I don’t think he will be happy about that.

               Tres has been eating a lot but not going to the toilet. I decided to try something. In the past, when we would return from a ride in a vehicle, Tres would go into the neighbor’s yard and POOP. I thought that I would take him for a short ride and then see if he would make a deposit. Well, it worked, he made a major deposit, and I got to get the pooper scooper and cleaned it up.

               Tres has not acted as if his incision hurts at all. He wants to be let off the leash, so he can run the back-yard fence with the neighbor’s dogs.

 

               Change the topic: The grand kids are supposed to be here tomorrow, so I get to be, “The annoying and silly grandpa.” Tres likes Gabi and she seems to like him. Possibly I will be able to get her to take him for a walk, and I can kick back and rest.

 

               Tomorrow is mowing the yard day. I will once again try to get the Alex to mow, and I will watch.

 

               Well that is it for now, I will let you go do something interesting, for a change.

 

Say something nice about me today!

 

Senior dog pooper scooper person, Don the Ford

                  

At it again August 02, 2020

               The senior wood scrapper, here at the Ford’s Scrap Homestead, has been at it again. He has work himself so hard that he had to take two naps, one right after the other, just to rest his ole senior body.

               Today’s useful items are, “Walking Sticks”. They are made from scrap wood from the ole fort. Many hours went into selection, cutting, sanding, edging, burning, and coating each of the wonderful items. I do have a photo of the finished items, enjoy my astonishing achievements.

                                            

               Yes, one is taller than the others, it is my favorite. Yes, one of them has a very slight bow in it, you are observant. Each is one of a kind, making them very desirable. They are for sale to real people, and free to all retired people on a fixed income.

               This week only, “Buy one, get one free, _{just pay a separate fee}”! _{Shipping and handling charges are $23.17.}

               They do actually work well as a walking stick, and would likely be a fair defensive weapon against an attack from a Chihuahua Dog.  

 

May your scraps bring you wealth and happiness!

 

Senior scrap wood manipulator, and user of big words, Don the Ford

From the past 08.01.20

              Well, it is now August and we all know what that means, yep, the Don will become a year older this month! The good news is, I will now be legally old enough to have an adult beverage!           NICE!

 

              But that has nothing to do with this posting. I have two subjects that are from the past.

 

              Back in late February or early March, it was the first time that toilet paper become scarce in the stores, so I ordered some online. I received it today, only 5 months later! The rolls are very small, shipped from China, photo to follow.

 

                                                      

 

              Subject change;

              Below is a posting from back in November of 2016. I just accidentally happened to read it the other day; I was impressed that I had written it!

 

 

      The Shadow Knows (11.12.16)             08.01.20

              If you are my age or older, you will likely remember old time radio shows like Jack Benny, The Lone Ranger and many other programs. There were many radio programs that were considered as a thriller in those days, one was, “The Shadow.” Although this posting refers to the Shadow, it has nothing to do with old time radio shows, even though I still enjoy them on XM radio.

               During my early morning walks prior to the sun coming up, I walk under a couple different street lights. On several occasions I have observed my own shadow and that shadow has started me thinking.

                                                                                                                                                                            

It has occurred to me, that my changing shadow, as I walk away from the light, is much like life.

When I am directly under the light my shadow is small and very dark. This in life would be as a child is born. All is new, clear and sharp.

As I begin to walk away from under the light, my shadow begins to grow, stretching out slightly ahead of me, still sharp and easy to see. I believe this would be similar to a child beginning to grow, they learn many things, and are totally reliant on their parents.

A few more steps and the shadow is now as long as I am tall. In life this would be a teenager who in size, is as large, or larger than their parent. They believe they know everything and think they can defeat the world.

A few more steps and the shadow continues to grow. Although the shadow is distinct, it is no longer as dark, instead becoming a dark gray. In life, this could be a young adult adjusting to life on their own, having a job, with many friends. Life is good, the person is healthy and happy.

A couple more steps and the shadow grows even longer with a lighter color of gray. In life, this would be middle aged, hopefully a spouse, possibly children, a home, two cars, and a job that demands much of your time. Your attention must be spread in many directions, there are many demands on your time.

A few steps more away from the light and the shadow is very long, it is a light gray which is becoming more difficult to see. In life you are close to or at retirement age. The children are grown and have children of their own. A few friends and family members have passed. Your focus is now more or less on the daily routines, get up, eat, watch the news, maybe you have a part time job, pull a few weeds, maybe write a story or two.

The next few steps caused the shadow to almost disappear; it can barely be seen even if you concentrate. Trying to view the shadow is almost impossible, it is difficult to discern the shadow from the surrounding area. In life this would be for many, old age. Memories from your childhood may still seem clear to you but many things you did yesterday, can’t be recalled. People’s names are almost impossible to remember. Many things from your life have been forgotten, which now seem new to you, as if you were experiencing them for the first time. Your life consists of daily routines and daily schedules. You may feel as if you are no longer needed, you may be lonely and can’t understand why others do not visit you.   

Another step or two and the shadow is gone. Life is no more.

 

The above may seem morbid, it is not meant to be.

I believe it is fairly accurate, and possibly a reminder for each of us to, visit with, or at least call, older people you know, on a regular basis!

 

 

Don Ford