Thomas Walters

What Is America Watching? And Why?

I hope everyone had an enjoyable July 4^th weekend. No shootings in your area. No stuck at an airport or in traffic somewhere. We stayed home and everyone came to us, so all good. Meanwhile, I have happened to remark to Her Ladyship on what we’re seeing on television. To that end, I’ve extensively covered some things popping up in commercials that we should never, ever, see on tv. Discussions of “gut” ailments. Things relating to sexual body parts. We don’t need to see that. And now, there is a whole slate of deodorants for every nook, cranny, and orifice. Once again, I don’t need to see, here, or know about it. Roll on to the pits and I’m good to go.

“Keep Your Thoughts to Yourself”

Thus said my horoscope the other day. Her Ladyship read it out boldly to me, and we had a good laugh, because, in all honestly, that’s not something I do well. Often over the years, I’d be sitting in a meeting where that little voice in my head would say, “keep quiet”. Sometimes I could, but sometimes, not so much. I come from a long line of “Did I say that out loud?” Irish folks. Discretion and restraint aren’t really our strongest attributes. When Abraham Lincoln said, “It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.”, he may well have had a number of my ancestors in mind.

Father’s Day 2024 – Honoring and Marketing

As the Father’s Day weekend approaches once again, it’s time to remember all fathers, be they biological, grandfathers, father figures, favorite uncles, surrogates, and others that have played or continue to play a role. Here once again are some thoughts I expressed last year at this time, and back by request.

A Bumper Crop of . . . . Pollen

The pollen is out in force this year. I noticed the other day, when I went out to fetch the newspaper and the front porch is coated with yellow powder. It’s a nice mix from the surrounding plants that causes me to sneeze uncontrollably. For those of my faithful readers that too suffer from spring allergies, my sympathies. With any luck, it will wash away soon with any passing showers. In the meantime, that glorious spring of stuffed up nose, itchy eyes, and sometimes even skin irritation are upon us.

Memories of “Decoration Day”

Yes, Memorial Day, as we know it today, was originally “Decoration Day”, evolving in the years following the Civil War to commemorate those that died on both sides of the conflict, and later, all military that died in battle. Thus began the tradition of putting flowers and flags on graves in the spring, and it spread from military dead to family members and friends. It was unofficial until 1971, when the Day became officially recognized as a national holiday.

I want 5 minutes alone with . . . . .

Yes, yes. We all know how much brilliant inventors and engineers have contributed to our lifestyles and well-being. Their knowledge, skill, and inspiration are, well, inspirational. In full disclosure, though, they’ve also had some lapses that drive us nuts. On occasion, I’ve written to the manufacturers with simple requests to dismiss or lock up the minds that created some of their products, reinforcing my reputation as a GOM (grumpy old man). It happens, but it’s all for our collective good.

Expanding Her Inheritance

How much really is too much? Can you have enough wealth? Most of us, and our immediate circle of friends, are what we used to call “comfortable”. Our immediate needs are met – we don’t face “food insecurity” or being homeless, at least I don’t think we do. As many of my readers know, I’m still chasing that illusive lottery payoff. My big check from Publishers Clearing House has not arrived, despite them telling me it’s on the way. They even have my address for delivery.

Oh, My Aching Back – More on Aging

Encountered a bit of bother this week. I’d been waiting anxiously until the weather broke so that I could start to tend the outdoor garden beds. I may have worked a bit too long – as all gardeners know, much of what we do is bending over to clear away the dead stuff, and thus, my back is sore. It’s been a festival of ibuprofen around here, and my whole gardening operation has come been shut down. The weather has turned colder again to accommodate my incapacitation. But Her Ladyship has been resistant to the idea of hiring an assistant or two to manage the estate. I know – penny pinching in the worst sense.

A Commercial “Coda”

Yes, I know. I’ve written about them before, so this may be my last on the subject, until more truly awful ones come along. They’re a fact of life. They sell products and services, and generate income. And they’re more and more pervasive. You will notice that there are no commercial messages or pop-up sales on this blog. I keep it strictly professional. In full disclosure, though, if somebody wanted to fling cash at me to advertise and monetize “I’m thinking . . .No”, I would succumb in a heartbeat. Oh, offers do come in, but they typically are offers to “upgrade”, which will increase readership, and those come with a price. Should I spend the money? Would you, my faithful readers, pay to subscribe, or be annoyed to see an ad for wrinkle cream or a gutter protection seminar pop onto your computer screen? I’m thinking . . . . .

Tax Time, Again

Yes, those tax walls are closing in again. It’s here. That season of giving – to the government. April flowers and taxes due. We all feel the pressure. Maybe this year, we’ll get something back. We planned for it this year, we increased our withholdings, we kept all of our receipts, stored carefully in a file devoted just to that. This will be the breakthrough year.

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