March 11, 2022 - So your toaster burned your bread this morning. You check the toaster out and decided that it is out of whack. We are all quite familiar with this phrase “out of whack”. But just what does the word “whack” really mean?
March 1, 2022 - Anyone who grew up in the 1940s and 1950s like me will probably remember the clothes-lines that dotted most every back yard in our small town of San Augustine, Texas. I still recall the one that my parents had, which was strung between two posts for about thirty feet. Actually, mother's line consisted of two thirty-feet wires so as to double the amount of wet clothes that could be dried at the same time.
February 4, 2022 - Have you noticed lately that most non-profit organizations solicit donations of only $19.00 per month? Being rather inquisitive about these important things, I delved into why organizations solicit like they do, just $19.00 per month. I wondered just why they did not go for the additional dollar and request $20.00 per month. Seems logical to me. Well, some research answered this question. There are two reasons: Federal Income Tax, and Customer Ignorance. Allow me to explain.
January 6, 2022 - Many years ago I worked as an underwriter for Allstate Insurance Company. My job was to select applications for automobile insurance coverage that I thought met the company's requirements, and would be profitable. I recall that Allstate conducted a nation-wide survey to determine which color cars were involved in the most accidents. To my surprise, the winner was light blue cars. Now, fast-forward to today. Is that still the case?
In a recent national survey the following color cars were determined to be involved in the most accidents, beginning with:
December 31, 2021 - Way back in my younger years my favorite television program was “Candid Camera”. Allen Funt played elaborate jokes on unsuspecting innocents while secretly filming them. I thought most of the program was hilarious. Little did I know then that in today's society I would be filmed everywhere I go.
December 27, 2021 - Another New Year’s Day is upon us and, as Southerners, we will be eating the symbolic meal of Hoppin’ John to assure a happy and prosperous new year filled with good luck. Most of you are familiar with the dish usually made with black-eyed peas (Texas Caviar), rice, chopped onion, and sliced bacon, all seasoned with a bit of salt. This dish has an interesting history.
December 13, 2021 - Who would have ever dreamed that Santa would rob a bank! But, it happened in Cisco, Texas. On December 23, 1927, a man dressed as Santa Claus walked down the sidewalk in downtown Cisco, followed by several small excited children, and into the First National Bank. After shooing the children away, he pulled out a gun and robbed the bank.
November 29, 2021 - I consider myself lucky to have been born at the time in history that I was. I have experienced parts of the “good old days” and currently into the computer age. Next, it would appear, will be the “robot age.” It seems that as it was with computers, robots are the next item that will be prominent in our homes.
November 5, 2021 - The comedian Don Rickles used to have a joke – “Call me a taxi. OK, you are a taxi..” It was usually good for a few laughs. However, if you are in need of a taxi around these parts you are out of luck. All this reminds me of an incident that happened back in 1987 to my wife, Clara.
October 22, 2021 - I have always loved Halloween. Even now in my older years I still enjoy decorating my front porch with all kinds of Halloween items, and dressing in some kind of costume. I get a kick out of entertaining the children who come to my door playing “trick or treat”. They always leave with a treat, thus I have never had a trick played on me.