Go Out Side and play

Mom said, “Go Outside and play“!



Again, I received a brilliant message in an EM and I must pass it along. Its about the things we did when we were young and how the times have changed. I love when people with the same opinion send me neat stuff. I agree with some of this and some I don’t. but it was the way I grew up. Read on while we can still say it……..
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!! First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes. Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads. As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pick up truck on a warm day was always a special treat. We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank Kool-aid made with real white sugar. And, we weren't overweight. WHY? Because we were always outside, playing...that's why! We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And, we were O.K. We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem. We did not have Play stations, Nintendo and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVDs, no surround-sound or Cd's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms. WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them! We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever. We were given BB guns for our 10Th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes. We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them. Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!! The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers problem solvers and inventors ever. The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all. If YOU are one of them? CONGRATULATIONS! You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good. While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were. Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it ?
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno: "With hurricanes, tornado's, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunder storms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"
Folks that’s the way it was and I am so happy to have I lived through that wonderful time. My Mom and Dad were the best that there ever was and if I had it to do over I would do it again. My first car was a used 1951 Ford that my Dad gave me……No, I bought it for 300 dollars and paid him 15 dollars a week until I paid him back. As we get older we resist change. We fight it and we will do anything to prevent it but we can’t stop it. Change happens whether we want it or not. I guess acceptance is the answer. I guess I can still I still say that

"I Remember a Few Presidents"

Here I was playing with my Dad.               Mom and me at Riverside Park

                                                                              

 “I never forget that I live in a house owned by all the American people and that I have been given their trust.” ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt


             I vaguely remember Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his final days. His picture was on the front page of the New York Daily News that my Dad brought home.. There was also a picture of a flag covered coffin…I was a really little kid but I remember that..
I remember being with my Dad and seeing Dwight David Eisenhower giving a speech from the back of a train in Windsor Locks Connecticut.. They called it the Freedom Train. It was decorated with red white and blue bunting..
I remember Harry S. Truman, his health walks and the attempt on his life one morning. I also remember when he fired General Douglas MacArthur.
I remember seeing John F. Kennedy at Bradley International Airport. He Was riding in the back of a open Lincoln convertible going to Hartford to make a speech. He really did have Auburn hair.
I remember when he was shot in Dallas Texas. Years later I went to Cape Cod all the time and me and my dog Albert used to play on the beach outside his house at Hyannis Mass. See the picture below of the little doggie sitting on the life guard stand. That was near JFK's Cape Cod house.. I loved that place..
I remember Lyndon Johnson. I never seen him in person but I did pat the nose of Air Force One when it was parked on the Air Guard ramp at Bradley Airport. It was a Boeing 707 and you could reach it.. So much for security in those days.. He quit after one term in office. His wife’s name was “Lady Bird”.
I remember Richard Nixon. He was not a nice person. He said he wasn’t a crook but got Impeached then flew back to where ever he came from waving from Air Force One with that big grin on his face… At the time I thought he should fly commercial..
I remember Gerald Ford. His wife had a huge drinking problem.. I remember when the Secret Service had to escort her away from a party she attended.. She got sober and started a Rehab with her name on it.. The Betty Ford Rehab. I always felt sorry for her because alcohol addiction is not easy..
I remember seeing Jimmy Carter sitting on fender of a Cadillac in Hartford Connecticut waiting for a parade to start. I waved to him and he smiled and waved back.. I was working for the Government at the time…
If I remember right Ronald Reagan was an actor who got shot and made jelly beans famous… I think he had Dementia during his last few months in office..
It was when the first Bush was president that I totally lost interest. I mean who can take 8 years of a Bush?
I really stopped (and avoided) watching people like these (Presidents) when junior Bush got elected because for eight years, his clown stage appearance and the way he talked spoiled it for him.. I thought he was embarrassing…. Its hard to believe he flew fighter jets for the Air National Guard.. I think they made up the flying part… Now some black guy with no birth certificate is President now. I have no idea who it is.. I don’t think anybody does..



Below ~  Me and my Prom date Marie and Albert on the life guard chair near J.F.K's house at Cape Cod..

 

           Albert running on the Beach at the Cape near JFK"s house...

"My Economy"

A lot of what I wrote here is nonexistent in America today. Now in America its instant gratification and debt. That is the only way to go. More and more people are programed to spend anyway possible without thinking of the consequences. I had a wonderful patient father that taught me me the value of a dollar and how to save for a rainy day........ Read on.....

Today’s topic is about finances. The dictionary describes this as, "control of money, the business or art of managing the monetary resources of an organization, country or person." Wow, I could do something with that. I mean I could really be angry and show someone how save or spend but this is about my economy… Lately with me, its mostly using what I have been taught all my life. Lets start with credit. In these times of economic disaster and believe me, it is economic disaster. Its the worse I have ever seen...Never buy gas in Connecticut and never ever charge anything. I buy very few luxury’s if any. Because I saved in the past I’m fortunate enough to be able to buy what I want. I just don’t like to overpay for anything. I won’t give them an extra nickel if I don’t have to. I only buy things on sale with a coupon. Especially food but I never buy two to get one. The rule for me is if I want something and don’t have the money I’ll wait till I have the money to buy it, even if its inconvenient…I save (a word seldom used these days) money for things…I put a few dollars away for emergencies. Like a new Computer just in case I need one. I save for car maintenance. Oil changes every 3000 miles or if something breaks. My Mustang, paid for by the way, is a high maintenance car so its important to have it checked out at least once a year whether it needs it or not. Like to rotate the tires or front end work. You don’t want know what I paid for a break job for that car. At the speeds on the highways these days you had better do something. The insurance for that car is not cheap either so I have to save for that. I always pay bills as soon as I get them, never waiting till their due. My rent is paid a few days before the first of the month, I don't remember when I have paid interest in any form …When I have moved in the past I always use the landlord or the building manager as a reference. You can do that if you pay your rent on time. I could travel anywhere in the world if I want but I don’t want to deal with all this terrorist nonsense. I'm an American and worked hard for my country. I worked for the State, the Federal Government and the Army National Guard. I have top secret clearance for the Subase in Groton Connecticut...My history will not be ignored. I don't deserved to be searched and if I ever walked through security at an airport they should salute me.....When I worked at Bradley International Airport I used to fly for free and everybody knew my name. I save my change for the laundry and never wash unless I have a full load. When I get gas for the Mustang I never put more than $20 dollars in the tank…I will not carry around all that gas. Its heavy. Leave it in the ground at the gas station, it will be there if I need it. I do a lot of things to economize and cut back. I just absolutely refuse to give them anything if I don’t have to. Most of this for me is common sense and the end result is I have money in my pocket at payday and I don't owe anybody anything...

"There's not a lot you can do about the national economy, but there is a lot you can do about your personal economy." - Zig Ziglar

“Your Memories are Missing”

 

Since the digital picture age started a few years ago did you ever notice that there are no real pictures anymore? Remember, what they used to call a photograph? I mean pictures that you keep for 50 years to hand down to your kids for the “memories“. Those memories were triggered by those little pieces of paper...Yes, I agree, digital graphics are clear and it is faster than film but the real pictures on paper are missing. Remember pictures? The kind you had developed and put on paper. You took pictures with your little Brownie or if you could afford it, the 35mm camera that you bought in a real camera store. My wife’s grandfather gave me my first 35 because his hands shook and the pictures came out blurry…His name was George…You then took that roll of film to the local drug store and waited sometimes with anticipation to have them developed to see how they “came out“. Then you knew that years later your kids could look in that box in the back of the closet to see what Mom and Dad did with you and your brothers and sisters or your wonderful relatives years ago. I’ll bet you didn’t know families did mostly every thing together. Beaches, picnics and they visited each others homes almost every weekend. Mom and Dad even visited Grandma and Granddad and took pictures of them. Sometimes they bought little frames and put those paper pictures in them just to remember how wonderful their parents were… I see pictures of my Father and remember what a wonderful person he was and how he patiently and delicately guided me around the pitfalls of this dangerous world. To this day I have a picture of my Dad hanging where I can see it every day… Well no more. I mean no pictures on paper that you can save to see, say 10, 20, or even 50 years from now. Your kids and their kids won’t know who their Grand parents were, never mind what they looked like.. They won’t know who you were or what you looked like. They won’t have those precious memories that you have…This world and its odd society have even taken away your memories and your past.. Its almost like you are only here for a few years and then discarded.. Its like you don’t count anymore. In a little while you won’t exist…

"More Random Thoughts"

When I was working at the airport we used to have a guy that made homemade Italian Pasta Vasul. God, do I miss that. I like saying that…….Pasta Vasul……

I wonder if the Shuttle crew can see things blowing up in Afghanistan?

I’ll never understand how or why a guy will wear his pants around the bottom of his bottom. I’m sure you have seen that…someone told me they are called “Wanna-be’s. Whatever that is. I think its some sort of club. Someone should tell them it doesn’t help if they need to run for their life. It would be unmanly to run pulling up your pants.

My dad use to say, “Lorenzo behave yourself I don’t want to see any "monkey shines” I have no idea what a monkey shine is……. I looked it up on Wikipedia and I’m not sure I like the definition.

I think my Dad had a thing for monkeys…..At times when I would copy something or do things that other youngsters would do He would say, “Lorenzo, monkey see monkey do“……It could be why I like monkeys today……

My grandfather, father and grand mother called me Lorenzo. My mother called me Lawrence. My aunt hung the moniker Larry on me…today most people call me Lar… Like life, even your name gets shorter.

Every once and a while when I was young I would be upset over something trivial. My dad would say, “Lorenzo don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill”.

When I was young…Somewhere around 3rd or 4th grade. I was the victim of a bully. I’m sure there are many of us that have had that kind of trauma happen….I came home crying and my dad explained very carefully what to do when confronted with this behavior…..Keep in mind I was a shy quiet kid and found it very difficult and painful to be in that situation as I’m sure many of us were. My dad took me aside and told me when this bully started to pick on me and push me around to pretend to run away and when he chased me to turn quick and punch him in the nose…..He said, “The force of the punch with him running into my fist would cause his nose to bleed“. He told me that he would never pick on me again. I never got a chance to do that. The bully died 6 months later of a brain tumor. Years later I worked with his dad in the same building. It just happened to be in the building where the guy made the Pasta Vasul. I never mentioned that incident to his dad…..I’ll bet he thought of his son when he seen me……We were the same age…..

Quote…..“I've had enough of being led by the nose by this whole population which is destroying us, (and) destroying our country by imposing their ways." Actress Brigitte Bardot talking about the Muslims after her arrest in 2006.. She is an animal activist who protested how the Muslims kill animals. I'm afraid to ask...France is home to Europe's largest Muslim community, estimated at five million people.

Comment....Brigitte baby, you ain't seen nothing yet.

"Low Profile and Wisdom"

Nothing new going on with me...I like to say I'm keeping a low profile and minding my own business. Being invisible seems to working well if I do those things. Fall is well on its way and in my part of the world its getting cooler every day although I did wear shorts while walking on the beach the other day. Three years ago I made the decision to move back, I lived here in the past, its a long story, to the shoreline of Connecticut and I do not regret it.. Aside from buying my Mustang in 2005, its one of the best decisions I have made in my whole life and that is saying something. I have absolutely no regrets or buyers remorse. These days that is rare. With age comes wisdom and letting things go that in the past you tried to control. To sit back and watch without gloating,"I told you so" is quite an experience. What happens when you do this is that people, not all but some family and friends will accuse you of "Not caring". Well, that just isn't true. I have the knowledge and experience and will always warn you of the pitfalls. All you have to do now is ask and listen carefully. Learning to read between the lines also helps. Making mistakes is part of learning and growing up. For some of us these things take a little longer. In the past I have done many things, some good, some not so good. I've learned by these errors. A tribute goes to my Dad who shined the light for me to follow. I don't know what I would do if he didn't share his wisdom with me. I don't think I would be writing this today.

"Sons and Daughters"

I’m glad I’m home is the first thing I thought about when I seen the vast expanse of moonlit ocean from my car as I drove along the shoreline the other night. I am very worried about my youngest son who has problems. They are serious but not serious enough to be hopeless if the right decisions are made. I have learned from past experience that the adult sons and daughters of parents who have taught the right things and set an good example of how life really is at times have to let go and pray that those sons and daughters make the right decisions through their lives. I can only suggest and point in the right direction to the road where there are the least pitfalls. It’s a well traveled road and easy to find so there is no excuse for making bad choices. “You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink” comes to mind. My Dad said that to me a very long time ago. Last night I went to be with friends and learned that, “Happiness is not a reward it is a consequence. Suffering is not a punishment it is a result.”

 

 

 

 

"We Need Tough Decisions"

If you think this is extreme and a fantasy? I would be the first one to agree with you. If this or any part of this is done, I believe the smiles you don’t see anymore would come back. There would be less crowded roads and highways. It would be less crowded everywhere. The air would be clean. Can you imagine looking up at night and seeing the stars again? Did you know there is so much pollution that your kids have never seen the stars the way it was? Can you imagine drinking the water out of the faucet in a real glass instead of a plastic bottle? Can you imagine getting gas at your local gas station and seeing a High School kid named John instead of Abdul working the cash register? Can you remember when you heard the name Mohamed you thought of a Heavy Weight Champion instead of death or a bomb blast somewhere? Gas would be $49.9 cents a gallon the way its supposed to be. People would trust one another again. Families would stay together instead of being torn apart and ruined by alcohol, drug abuse and teen pregnancy. Honesty and morals would be a mainstay and the thing to do. Love would be what real love is supposed to be about and not just a passing desire for a few years or until you are tired of one another. Marriage would be when, “Through sickness and health” meant just that. The perfect family where Dad works and Mom watches the kids just might reappear. Maybe the kids would be outside playing in the yard instead going on the internet or playing video games. Just maybe a movie would be shown without a gun or death in it. Yes, and to all you people that will say this country was founded by certain principles, your right but most of those principles don’t exist anymore. You are right though, I would be the first to tell you the old words to the Constitution are there but Lawyers and corruption have changed and twisted the words to make them be whatever they want them to be. It seems we are so busy fixing all the world problems we are not watching what is happening in our own back yard. Our country is growing faster than our coping skills can handle it. Maybe it would take some tough decisions and limit setting to fix things but right now the United States is not United. Right now, it has no future. If you think it does, you have been blinded by all the lies and manipulation. If the United States continues on the path it is going, well you think about it. Project a little into the future…You will see what I mean and if you don’t, may God bless you. Your going to need it.

"President For a Few Days" Part Three

This is part 3 of the 3 part series about some of the tough decisions that need to made.  I realize some of these things are impossible.... But if only.....


    There will be a Ban all television commercials starting immediately. Ban all suggestive material which includes music and video games designed to entice teenagers to be violent, have sex or use drugs. Anyone caught importing drugs from any country into the U.S. will be arrested for attempted murder. This includes the street drug dealers or anybody that has anything to do with illegal drugs. No exceptions. Any drug addict who wants help can have it as long as they deem it necessary. It will paid for in full by the money that will be confiscated from any and all the countries that have drug money in any bank in the U.S. Treatment is free to citizens only. 


     Then I woke up……………..Think this is Extreme and a fantasy? I would be the first one to agree with you. If this or any part of this is done, I believe the smiles you don’t see anymore would come back. There would be less crowded roads and highways. It would be less crowded everywhere. The air would be clean. Can you imagine looking up at night and seeing the stars again? Did you know there is so much pollution that your kids have never seen the stars the way it was? Can you imagine drinking the water out of the faucet in a real glass instead of a plastic bottle? Can you imagine getting gas at your local gas station and seeing a High School kid named John instead of Abdul working the cash register? Can you remember when you heard the name Mohamed you thought of a Heavy Weight Champion instead of death or a bomb blast somewhere? Gas would be $49.9 cents a gallon the way its supposed to be. People would trust one another again. Families would stay together instead of being torn apart and ruined by drug abuse and teen pregnancy. Honesty and morals would be a mainstay and the thing to do. Love would be what real love is supposed to be about and not just a passing desire for a few years or until you are tired of one another. Marriage would be when, “Through sickness and health” meant just that. The perfect family where Dad works and Mom watches the kids just might reappear. Maybe the kids would be outside playing in the yard instead going on the internet or playing video games. Just maybe a movie would be shown without a gun or death in it. Yes, and to all you people that will say this country was founded by certain principles, your right but most of those principles don’t exist anymore. You are right though, I would be the first to tell you the old words to the Constitution are there but Lawyers and corruption have changed and twisted the words to make them be whatever they want them to be. It seems we are so busy fixing all the world problems we are not watching what is happening in our own back yard. Our country is growing faster than our coping skills can handle it. Maybe it would take some tough decisions and limit setting to fix things but right now the United States is not United. Right now, it has no future. If you think it does, you have been blinded by all the lies and manipulation. If the United States continues on the path it is going, well you think about it. Project a little into the future…You will see what I mean and if you don’t, may God bless you. Your going to need it.

"I'm Back"

The new me is officially going to start today…Of coarse I’ve said this 743 times before. I mean it this time. Well, almost mean it…Can you almost mean it? I know about half measures and all that but I will try. There are a few things I’m not going to anymore. First writing about the weather. Unless its really like the Tornado or flood that I was in I’m not going to say anything. Except if its over 100 degrees, then I have to say something.  Politics, that’s a tough one because someone has to keep an eye on the crooks. Its easy these days because most of them are so you don’t have far to look. I will try to back off on that. Maybe I’ll save it for the Tweets. I’m not going to swear. I really haven’t done much of that but when I start it means I’m upset. I’ll back off on that no matter what. I had a good fathers day yesterday even though I am one of the unfortunate Dads that have 2 ungrateful sons. Actually, its odd when you don’t have a father. I found myself putting a picture of my Dad on my blog and writing about him. Scroll down, it’s a high school picture. He was a really nice guy and I’m so glad we, my brother and I had the opportunity to take care of him in his last days…If anyone has a problem with Dad issues take care of those issues soon because the pain of regret later will be intolerable. Remember when I wrote about, the I wish I could have done things but its too late now feeling..…My advice is have the presence of mind now to help your parents, you won’t regret it in the future. Meanwhile this morning I’m going to breakfast with friends and have a good time….Take care guys. Larry’s back…  

"Happiness is Not a Reward"

I’m glad I’m home is the first thing I thought about last night when I seen the ocean from my car. His problems are serious but not serious enough to be hopeless if the right decisions are made. The adult sons and daughters of parents who have taught the right things and set an good example of how life really is at times have to let go and pray that those sons and daughters make the right decisions through their lives. I can only suggest and point in the right direction to the road where there are less pitfalls. It’s a well traveled road and easy to find so there is no excuse for making bad choices. “You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink” comes to mind. My Dad said that to me a long time ago. Last night I went to be with friends and learned that, “Happiness is not a reward it is a consequence. Suffering is not a punishment it is a result.”