The reason for today's posting is that I looked at the date of my last posting and it was almost six months ago. How terribly rude of me!
I compose various schemes of thought as I drive to work, or as I return, or as I walk the dogs. All these subjects are brilliant in nature. All are forgotten or put aside once I get home.
On the subject of the upcoming in the way distant future elections: Trump seems to be leading the hate group known as the Republican party. My Facebook is crammed with all the perceived divisiveness that Obama brings, but this man just may start race wars, the likes of which will be legendary. Hillary carries a lot of baggage with her that causes a lack of faith in her motives. At least that's what the press says. They tend to avoid the same obfuscation that W brought to the party. But she is a sneaky bitch who has the audacity to believe she should be anointed Queen of Amerika. Biden is making noises about joining the fray, but his idiocy and perceived inability to lead ants to a picnic may be the only thing not getting Obama shot. Bernie Sanders is claiming to be Socialist. That alone takes him off the depth charts. He seems to be saying the things people most want to hear. And her may be the best man for the job. He was a Jewish carpenter in his youth.
In November every year, we hear the phrase "Put Christ back in Xmas". Even though the day we celebrate is one originated by the pagans of Rome to honor the gift giving of Saturn. And the pagans of northern Europe with their feast of the Yule, and worshipping trees and all that. The question I have is why can't we put the teachings of the Christ back into Christianity? I remember from my classes that He said something about all men are brothers, and he wanted all men to follow him, and all children should be allowed to approach him. Hate is not a inherited gene. It has to be taught. (I may be talking about Mr. Trump again)
My grandson is growing bigger and stronger and faster. We put locks on some of the cupboards so he won't sample the chemistry class that is under the kitchen sink, or he won't pull down cast iron pots on his toes. He is totally devoted to his mom. Rightly so, but he also will play with me on occasion. Where I work, I see several babies a day. They are usually quiet, or somber, or crying. Not this kid! At eight months, he is always smiling, curious about the colors and shapes in the tool department, and will laugh and giggle with anyone who he perceives as a friend.
The wife, on the other hand, is not so good. She decided to lift and twist a pot of dirt that weighed more than she should have been lifting. Of COURSE it was my fault for not having done it sooner! Instead of putting it down and scooping dirt out of it, she tried to turn it over while holding it and tore the tendons in her left shoulder. Surgery will be in the next couple of weeks, followed but immobilizing the joint and then physical therapy for several months after that. I have already spoken with my store manager about me doing a Family Medical Leave of Absence. He agreed that it would be a good thing.
As of tonight the gods of the lottery have not yet exerted their influence in choosing my numbers. I constantly remind them, but as yet they have decided to either ignore me or frustrate me by allowing two of those numbers to be picked each week for four or five weeks. Once in a while they screw up (Or increase the tease) and I will get three numbers. That allows me to get $3 back on my wager. Now that I am posting this, on Wednesday, the next time the drawing occurs, someone in El Paso or Brownsville will win on a Quick Pick he got instead of change for a six pack of Bud Light.
Speaking of finances, when the markets panicked over the Chinese currency devaluation, I realized everybody's portfolio was going to decline somewhat. I am invested in my company 401k, company stock, a savings account, and an annuity in fairly conservative funds. The company stock bounced back very quickly. Even though Home Depot buys a shitload of Chinese made products, we are still a financially strong company. My savings account obviously didn't change, it also doesn't earn anything anyway, being in a bank savings plan. But it is there for any emergency. My 401k, while it fell 7%, it has regained almost all of that in a week. The advisors at whoever advises us say my investments are too risky, but I felt I was balancing the risk of an aggressive stock mutual fund portfolio with the ultraconservative annuity plan. The annuity did not show much reaction to the diving of the Dow on the first day or so. Since then, however, I am off almost 10%. Part of that, I am seeing are the fees for managing my portfolio. Almost $3000! The bastards are making more money on this than I am. Now, I am ahead of my initial investment, but that was almost 8 years ago when I put most of my 401k into it. Since I did that, the 401k has earned steadily, while the annuity has stalled and fallen.
After our latest trip to Colorado, my wife once again asked when I was planning on getting a new vehicle (see lottery results above). My current vehicle is a 2000 Chevrolet AstroVan. It only has 135,000 miles on it. Yes, occasionally, things go wrong with it and it doesn't get the efficient gas mileage I would like, but I put gas and oil and tires on it and it goes and hauls whatever I need. The radio even works pretty well. However, IF I do get a new vehicle, it will be my last. Shit, I'm 67 years old and expect to live to about mid eighties. As much as I drive, I'll have less than 150,000 on any car or truck by the time I die. The big problem is that any of the vehicles I've been looking at are in the $50-65k range. (see finances above, or lottery). Most of what I have looked at are Silverados or Suburbans. Since my wife drives an Equinox, I sort of looked at them as well, but I just don't think I fit very well into those. I like climbing up into my vehicle.
Every day I go into work is one day closer to my final retirement.
I had my eye exam last Monday. Doctor said I had not changed since my eyes reset themselves four years ago. I am guessing that's a good thing. No signs of glaucoma or macular degeneration. I ordered a new pair of glasses (or plastics, as the folks there called them). I decided to not get the "transition" lens coating because they took so long to readjust, especially in colder weather. I had been getting the metal frames, but decided on a slightly softer look.
A while back, I wrote about Toyota drivers, and how they were either out to get me, or were pissing me off. Nothing has changed in that regard.
My daughter has moved from one school district to another. Last Sunday, she met with friends from the old school. She is way happier the way things are at her new school. There have been a couple of learning things and procedural issues, but for the most part, she is overjoyed to have moved. By the way, she moved from teaching 5th grade math and science to 5th grade reading. The principal at her new school used to employ her mother, her sister-in-law, and the SIL mother. Pam knows my daughter from her having been a tutor at that school before she left for Korea.
Went to Colorado again this year. I didn't have the altitude sickness problems I had last year. We even hiked a few of the trails where we went. If I feel that good next year, I will take the hike from Breckenridge to Frisco.
Had to buy a new phone. I had an unlocked Galaxy s4. After a year, it was a piece of crap. I could get text messages and internet stuff on it, but the main purpose is a TEEPHONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE. At that task it failed horribly. Someone would call and they would get a sound like a fax machine. I would have to restart it to call them back. I took it to Samsung and the girl worked what magic she could. I took it to T-Mobile and they tried stuff. No fix, so new phone. I got the Galaxy s5, because the controls are similar and the s6 will not take a SD card for me to store my photos. (see grandson above) I got them to throw in the OtterBox defender case, and we had a deal. I found an app from Zedge that has several hundred ringtones and message tones on it. I got to play with it and decided I have to list more people so I can use more ringtones.
Air conditioner crashed yesterday. I am blessed with a nearby A/C guy who works for free. He also lets me build furniture for his wife. Together they also have provided me with two amazing grandchildren. Fortunately, he had the right part to fix the controls on the machine and somehow, I had the right gauge of wire in my garage.
Getting tired now, about time for me to crash and get some sleep. Hopefully, I'll remember some of those really interesting ideas I have while driving or walking. Later.....
