Think about this 07.27.15

 

                Sales person, (notice how I am being politically correct and not saying sales man) a person who usually works for another, and who job it is to relieve you of your money, while attempting to make you feel as if he/she is helping you.

                As I began to write this revealing article, I was initially thinking about cars sells people. I recently took my pick up that now has 100,000 miles on it, to the dealer for an oil change. I normally do not like to take anything to the dealer unless it is warranty work, because I feel as if the dealerships charge more than they should.

                I had a coupon for an oil change and they were charging less that the oil change place down the street. I was waiting on a female employee to help me and I could not help but overhear a conversation between her, the customer and a car salesman. Now this young man (the customer) was attempting to get his pickup in for some diagnostic service.

                The sales man said, why don’t you just buy a new truck and you will not have to wait on the diagnostic. He then told the young that he could put him in a new truck for the same payment or less that what he was now paying. He then asked the young man what his monthly payment was, $500 or $600? The young many responded with $800. I could not believe what I was hearing, someone pays $800 a month for a vehicle!

                I immediately walked away from the area so I would not be seen as listening in.

                Then another fellow walked up to me and asked if I had been helped, to which I replied, “No”. He asked what I needed and I said an oil change. He said I should talk to the female employee when she finishes. He then went on to explain that he had recently had surgery and was not allowed to work, but he was trying to help out where he could (I wondered if management knew he was there).

                As I thought about the salesman trying to get the customer to purchase a new pickup, I realized that his approach would likely get many people to purchase a new vehicle.

                A good sales person is able to gain the confidence of the customer and have the customer believe he is helping him. The truth is the sales person is trying to get the customer to purchase something at the highest price possible, so that the company can make money and the sales person get their commission. 

                Sales people on commission, regardless of what type of product being sold, want to sell at the highest price.

                                Have you thought about wait staff in a restaurant as being sales people? They are on commission since they work for tips.  They are selling the food and their service. Those with a good personality make more in tips than those that are grumpy.

                Enough about sales, it has been hot here in Hewitt. We have been as high as 99 but have not officially hit 100 yet this year. The weather people noted that in 2011 the Waco area had already hit 100 degrees, 41 times.

                I am here to tell you that even though we haven’t officially made it to 100, it is still hot!

 

                I have continued working on the tree house or whatever it will be called, and I am at the point of installing the floors. There will be two floors (upper and lower) and the unit is in an “L” shaped around an 8 foot tall tree stump.

                The work is hot but most often it is in the shade.

 

                The other morning as I was enjoying my morning walk, a neighbor lady asked if I would do a rain dance, to which I replied, “My rain dance only works if I am nude, and I get in trouble dancing nude in the yard”.

 

Have a cool day!

 

Don Ford

 

 

Giving you "The Bird" 07.21.15

                This cardinal, (aka red bird) is the father to a baby bird that was hatched in our rose bushes.

Below we see Dad and Baby together, on an unused trash can at our shed. Papa was feeding the baby. Mom may have had enough of the kid, and flew the coop. (Did you get the play on words?)

Below we see dad explaining how to fly and that, “cats are bad”. Note, the baby is paying attention.

It was too hot to do anything other than, bird watching.

 

You might, tweet this to your friends.

 

Don Ford           

 

 ^{Yes I know there is a TV commercial that does the tweet thing, get off my case!}

 

You didn't think of this 07.20.15

 

                I am fairly sure that you did not think of this, but I did. You are correct if you were thinking, my mind works in mysterious ways.

                I am assuming that you have seen cowboy shows, you know the ones with all the bar fights, gun fights, fast horses and people jumping from one horse to knock the other fellow off his horse. Now that I think about it, why didn’t the good guy, ride alongside the bad guy, and instead of jumping on him and taking the chance of breaking an arm or leg, just hit him in the back of the head with his gun. That seems to me as if it would knock a bad guy off his horse.

                No, that isn’t what my story is about, I just got side tracked by one of my many thoughts.

                I know, one of you want to know how the tree house is going. I am at a standstill until I get some help to move the center section. The center and west side sections are 8 foot by 8 foot and assembled, each weighs about 100 pounds. I have moved both units (one at a time) without help, but I almost strained every muscle that is left in this seasoned citizens body. I then thought about my friend who has back problems, and I decided to not attempt to move these heavy and awkward units without help.

                Unfortunately, I positioned the center unit backwards and it needs to be turned around. That is not something I will attempt by myself. Dave will help me turn this unit and then I can get back to work.

                Speaking of Dave, I helped him haul tree limbs from his new home to the Hewitt recycling area this past Saturday. We hauled three loads of limbs and one load of wood, doors, old sheet rock and other items that they have removed from the home prior to moving in. it was hot hard work and next month we will be doing it again. It seems as if the previous owners never trimmed the trees.

                OK, I will attempt to get back to my original thought. Yes this thought is original and you will agree with me after I have related the thought to you.

                I am not sure if this thought came to me as I was enjoying my morning walk, or if it came to me in a dream. I dream almost every night and most of the time my dreams are just odd or silly. I am glad that I don’t have bad or scary dreams.

                How I came up with this thought is not important but I wonder why I had not considered it before now. I must have watched hundreds of cowboy movies from the older ones to the more modern movies.

Have you noticed, they don’t make many cowboy movies anymore? Now days everything has to do with zombies or something that is going to kill everyone if the hero (male or female) can’t stop the disaster. I think I liked it better when it was cowboys.

No I do not watch the new thrillers and I do not listen to the modern (young peoples) music. I guess being a seasoned citizen, I like the things from my past.

Back to the thought. In many of the old cowboy movies, but not so much in the new cowboy movies, there were watering troughs, often located where the horses would be tied to the hitching post. The horse could take a drink while he was waiting for his rider to return. Occasionally there would be a town drunk who would dunk his head in the trough to help him sober up.

If you remember, there was the occasional fight and one of the participants (cowboys) would end up in the watering trough.

Now you should understand that I have been thinking about these watering troughs.

I might have come up with this thought while watching and old Gun Smoke TV show the other day. They were experiencing some type of drought…

Were the troughs made by the undertaker? They were shaped like the wooden caskets that we saw on the cowboys shows. What did they use to keep the wood from allowing the water to leak, they had to be sealed with something.

Now to the meet of this topic; how did the water get put into the trough? If the trough in front of a store or bar was owned by the store, did they have to replace the water?

They did not have running water, so someone would have to carry the water to the trough. Who carried the water?

Were the troughs owned by the town?  Did they have a city worker carry the water? Each town had a mayor what did the mayor do if they didn’t have city workers?

I now wonder if the water troughs was something that was only for the movies, and in real life the cowboy had to take his horse to the creek for a drink.

It seems as if there are more questions than answers!

I told you it was an original thought and you had not considered this before I related it to you.

 

May your thoughts all be nice and original!

 

Don Ford

Slow but sure 07.17.15

 

                The expansion at The Ford Homestead is proceeding at a rather slow pace. Although it would seem to be a simple structure to build, it has been somewhat of a challenge to this retired person. I have been working in the shade of a tree in the back yard all the while trying to stay hydrated in what seems to be sweltering heat.

                In truth, it hasn’t hit 100 yet this year, but we are still complaining about the heat.

                My poor yard is in bad need of rain. How bad you ask, there are places in the yard where the grass does not grow (under the trees) and the ground has cracked open. I noticed that many of the bugs are not able to navigate through the yard due to the openings in the ground. If they don’t have wings they are just out of luck.

                There is a pair of cardinals that have a nest in the rose bushes and they have a problem with me working in the back yard. These two don’t mind telling me what they think.

                It is unreal have many mistakes changes I have made in this project thus far. As an example, there is a 2 X 4 attached to each support post, in this case there are three posts, and the top of the 2 X 4 is to be located 11 inches above the ground. This 2 X 4 will support the floor boards. I measured 11 inches, marked a clear line, I clamped the 2 X 4 in place and drilled a hole through the 2 X 4 and into the post. I removed the clamps and continued to drill the hole the rest of the way through the posts.

                I got the three bolts, nuts and washers to attach the 2 X 4, and then realized that I had drilled the holes above the line, but they should have been below the line. I then clamped the 2 X 4 below the line and drilled the holes in the proper location.

                A corner post may have 2 X 4s attached to the front, back and sides. I am forced to actually think about what I am doing.  I do have drawings to follow, and I have even changed a couple things on the drawings.

                I would say I am one fourth done at this point.  I need to set the foundation blocks next which means I will be on my hands and knees working and praying for help.

                ^Non Tax deductible donations of time (helping me) or money to fund the projects will be accepted at the Ford Homestead web site.

 

Hope your projects are all enjoyable!

 

Don Ford

 

What if 07.16.15

 

The title was for a political subject which involved Marshal Law, Politicians, and the loss of all freedoms. It was too discouraging, a huge downer, so I changed the subject.

Surprise Lilly, surprised us. It wasn’t there one day, and it was the next.

 

There is a pretty rose also growing in the same flower bed.

I have begun working on the addition to the kid’s tree house or fort. It is a hot and tedious project. Thank goodness for the shade from the trees and ice water. If I ever get it completed I will post some photos. If I don’t post photos, then I didn’t get it done.

 

I hope yours surprises are all flowers.

 

Don Ford

 

Not the best ride 07.13.15

 

It was Saturday morning, July 11^th, a day that would turn out to be both not so good and yet blessed by good Samaritans.

Wayne and I met Jason at the HEB parking lot. The plan was for Wayne and me to ride with Jason on the first leg of his vacation ride to Colorado. We were to meet at 6:15 and leave at 6:30am. We would all ride together to Abilene, TX (180 miles one way) where we would stop for an early lunch. Then Wayne and I would ride back to Waco while Jason rode on toward his destination, somewhere in Colorado.

Sticking to the schedule, we headed out highway 84 towards Gatesville, TX. We were surprised when we saw a Goldwing motorcycle that looked a lot like the wing that Wayne was riding, parked on the side of highway 84. There was no one with the bike, it must have broken down.

Now it is not unusual to see a bike broke down on the side of the road, but it is very unusual to see a Goldwing.

I now believe, this is where the trouble began. Wayne commented that his bike would probably break down some day, as it had about 80,000 miles on it and the generator on the older Goldwing’s often go bad after about 60,000 mile. He noted that he “might” be riding on borrowed time.

All went well for a couple hours of riding. We had even stopped for a short break and then resumed the ride. Back on the road all was well for a couple miles then I noticed that Wayne had slowed down some and seemed to be doing something to the controls of the bike.

I being a smarty pants, told him to stop texting and pay attention to the rode. We have CB radios and we are able to communicate while riding. Wayne said his cruise control had stopped working and it would not re-engage.

Thirty seconds later, the bike just stopped running and we pulled over to the side of the road. Even with the expertise of all three of our biker brains, we were not able to determine the exact cause, but Wayne thought it was the generator.

 

Each of us tried our cell phones but they would not work, as we were in the country and down in a valley.

We suggested that Jason should continue on to Colorado, we will find a solution to our situation. We all wished each other good luck and Jason bid us a farewell.

          We discussed what to do, and it was decided that Wayne would walked over to a house that was about a football field away from the road (that is about 100 yards) and asked if he could leave his bike at their gate while we rode back to Waco on my bike to get a truck and trailer, then return and get the bike. I should note that we were 140 miles from Waco.

The couple from the farm said he could leave the bike there and they offered to jump start the bike if that would help. It couldn’t hurt Wayne thought. The bike started, we thanked the couple for their help and Wayne took off heading for the nearest town, which was 8 miles away.

          I got on my bike and took off after Wayne. I would say he made it half to three quarters of a mile before the bike died again.

          We were on top of a hill, and we now had cell phone service. Many Goldwing riders carry a book in their bike that list the name, location and phone numbers of all the Honda dealers. Wayne called the Honda dealer in Abilene TX, which was about 40 miles away, but they did not have a generator.

We then decided to look in the Gold Wing rider’s book to see if there was anyone (another Honda rider) close that might help. We found a person's name and phone number who lived 8 miles away. It was worth a try.

          Wayne called this person and he said they would be happy to help. He and his wife came out with a trailer and we loaded the bike on the trailer. 

This couple took Wayne and his motorcycle all the way back to Waco, TX, 140 mile one way, and would not accept any money, not even for gas. Wayne offered to buy their supper and the couple said thanks but no thanks. They asked Wayne to stop and help any biker he might see that is broke down on the side of the road.

This couple was too nice!

          I rode the 140 miles home alone. I did stop for a burger at the DQ in Hamilton, TX.

 

May we all be as nice as that couple is!

 

Don Ford

 

 

Why do they do it? 07.10.15

                The following article is a true opinion of mine.

                This morning as I was dutifully exercising (walking) many things eased through my mind. I used the word eased, because my enormous brain absorbs my thoughts better when the thoughts are moving more slowly. A thought preceding like a flash of lightning, no longer seems to stick in my brain.

                I was thinking that, “We the People” need to get rid of a bunch of politicians and elect some true leaders. If you know anything about politics, you understand that, “We the People” no longer have any say in who will be candidates, for any of the important positions. The politicians, along with the elite upper crust, (rich donors) decide who will run and who will not.   

                “We the People” get to vote for, or against, the politicians that the political groups place on the ballot.

                Enough information about the corrupt political system, and the entire thing is corrupt, let me get back to my original thought.

                Why do they do it?

                The question is why do politicians want to be in office. If you were to ask one of them, they would say, “to serve the people”. As you should know, that is a line of BS a mile long. I do not doubt that some people go into politics wanting to serve the people, but they soon find that they must bend to the will of the political system or they will basically be kicked out of the good ole boy club. (The comment good ole boy, also applies to the female politicians.)

                Let’s think about any political position for a moment. If the person in that position, were to be required to do their job in anonymity, no recognition by the press, and if they were not allowed to take gratuities during their time in office and after, do you think any of them would even consider being a politician?   

                It is the recognition they receive, the thought that they are somehow better than others, some probably think of themselves as royalty. They make decisions while in office, that will help their wealthy supporters, and they hope their decisions help them to stay in office.

                What other job allows the workers, to set their own pay, and benefits? Only politicians!

                There must be term limits on all politicians and they should never get any type of benefits after being in office or retirement. Then and only then, would you have leaders that are in office to serve the people.

 

I feel a little better now!

(Politician is in gray, due to my perception of the dirtiness of their position.)

 

Don Ford               

Rock Paper Dog 07.08.15

 

                The day started as a normal Texas day. The temp was a cool 79 and the humidity was a sticky 89%. This combination of heat and humidity would have been daunting to many seniors who were wanting to get some exercise in, prior to the heat of the day.

                Yes I know there is such a thing as mall walking but one has to get to the mall before they can participate, and gas is too expensive for a person on a, “fixed income”, such as me!

                I began my walk with a few stretches, as I don’t want to injure this well-formed, and should I say, nicely preserved body. Starting my stroll at a normal pace, I walk at this speed for about a minute, then I increase the speed to a point where my respirations and heart rate or elevated. I maintain that pace through the entire walk, with the last minute or so, at a normal pace as my cool down.

                You do know that after exercising a race horse, they walk them for a while to cool them down. I may not be a race horse, but I have been called the south end of a north bound horse, so I am entitled to a cool down walk.

                This particular morning as I began my walk, I was thinking of all the things that happen on a schedule or, are the same every day. As an example there is a fellow on Texas Street that keeps his Harley in his back yard behind a wood fence. About 6:30 each day he opens the wood gate, which is about 4 foot wide. He then starts the bike and rides it very carefully through the open gate, stopping on the drive way.

                As with many Harley owners, his bike has very loud exhaust pipes. I am one of those people that wish the police would enforce the noise ordinances related to loud exhausts on all vehicles.

                It is a proven fact, street legal vehicles that are fast, do not have loud exhausts, while vehicles that are not fast often attempt to make up for their inability to accelerate with loud exhausts. 

                As I continue my walk I often observe the same items lying on the street. As an example there are two rubber bands in front of 421 Oklahoma Ave.  These rubber bands are small and one is twisted into three circles while the other is in four circles. The bands appear to be from the so call newspaper that are tossed onto a few yards up and down the street. These rubber bands will stay there until the next rain, at which time the rain water will wash them away.

                Speaking of paper, there is what appears to be a newspaper next to the drive way at 418 Oklahoma. That paper has been there for better than two weeks. One should pick up litter from their yards but if you didn’t put it there, do you have to pick it up?

                Another item that I often review during my morning stroll is a smooth, roundish rock, less than three inches in diameter. One would assume that the rock has been taken from a stream where it has been exposed to running water for years which has cause the rock to be very smooth.

                This rock is on Arkansas Street and lately has been covered with several inches of dead grass clippings. The people who live there do not cut their grass on a regular basis, allowing it to grow about knee high to a giraffe, and when they do cut it they blow the clippings onto the street.

                Did I state that these people rent this house, which may be why they do not seem to care what their house or the neighborhood looks like.

                In a recent study preformed at, “The Ford Homestead Institute of Home Maintenance”, it has been learned that households which have the traditional husband and wife, often have a better outside appearance than those that do not have the husband and wife.

                Why, would this be, you ask, I will explain. Typically, the husband does most of the outside work while the wife does much of the inside work. In our study we learned that, “men will work outside for longer periods of time, when the wife is in the house”. Now we have not concluded that the husband will stay outside to avoid the spouse, but…

                Let me get back to the rock that I see during my morning stroll. For some reason this morning, I had this feeling that I should pick up the rock and take it with me. I can’t explain why I just knew I should.

                This rock is a dark brown, rather smooth, and it filled my hand. I tried putting the rock in my pocket but it was too heavy and uncomfortable. As I strolled toward the Homestead, I thought I might want to leave the rock at the end of my driveway. Nope, I continued carrying it in one hand and my walking stick (cane makes me sound old) in the other.

                I had completed another lap when this barking dog that was behind a wooden fence, was able to get his head through a gap between two boards. Now I could tell, this dog was set on getting out and doing bodily harm to me.

                I stepped up the pace a little and in a few seconds was moving away from the barking and likely vicious dog. Not thinking about the dog I was again constipating concentrating on my style and pace. Yes, there is a style in my walking which I am told is, “inspirational to the onlooker”.  

                I was now on my last lap for the day. I was again approaching the barking dog compound when it happened! That darn dog got out of the enclosure and was heading my way. Can you imagine a pit bull, coming at you, intent on taking your leg off, or worse?

                This dog was vicious and I needed to act quickly. My brilliant brain went into over drive deciding what to do. I remember it is best to not make direct eye contact as this is said to be a direct challenge to the species.

                I am attempting to look away but watch the monster out of my peripheral vision. He was still barking but not advancing at this time. I still had the rock in my left hand and my walking stick (cane) in the right hand. I decided to slowly move the rock and cane into different hands, thinking I may need to throw the rock at the dog in defense of my well-formed body.

Each time this canine barked his body would bounced and he would be an inch or so closer to his intended target, me!

I decided to stand my ground. I would turn and face the canine, I will throw the rock and if I hit him, I may have a few seconds to evacuate the area. If not, I will use my walking stick to defend myself.

I turned quickly and the dog seemed to become more agitated. It was at the exact moment as I drew my arm back, readying myself to launch a counter attack, when I heard it! This female voice calling, ”Susie, Susie come here”.

The dog lessened its attack mode but stood its ground. I lowered my arm to my side. Again the female voice was calling for Susie. The dog retreated toward the voice around the end of the fence.

A moment later the old lady came around the end of the wooden fence carrying Susie. This old lady was apologizing for Susie’s aggressive behavior. She asked if Susie had bitten me and I replied, “No”. She said these Chihuahuas are small but they do often bite.

I smiled at the old lady, and walked home knowing that I had faced danger and won!

 

Always be prepared, never give up!

Disclaimer: _{Did this really happen, no it did not? Did I make it up because I do not have a lot of excitement in my life, maybe? Do I like telling stories, true or not, yep?}

 

Don Ford