Living Rural

THOSE BORN 1920-1979

READ TO THE BOTTOM FOR QUOTE OF THE MONTH BY JAY LENO. IF YOU DO NOT READ ANYTHING ELSE—VERY WELL STATED

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 were not tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints…

We had no child proof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

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 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 and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren’t overweight because,

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

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. Moreover, we were OK.

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’s, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD’s, no surround-sound or CD’s, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or 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 received 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 poke 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 did not 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, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms 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?’

For those that prefer to think that God is not watching over us…go ahead and delete this.

For the rest of us…pass this ON!

Remember… “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Thanks to my friend, Sally, for sharing this today.

The new American Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs played against the ‘old school’ 

National Football League’s Green Bay Packers in the championship game, which was the

very FIRST SUPER BOWL! Now fellow Baby boomers can probably remember the hysteria it

caused, or at least heard their parents talking about it because it was played before 61,946

fans in Los Angeles’ 100,000-seat Memorial Coliseum. The television audience for this game

estimated to have been approximately 60 million viewers. Small potatoes compared to the

views it attracts now. Do you remember how it got its name?

Lamar Hunt, founder of the AFL and owner of the Kansas City chiefs, found his daughter’s

Super Ball, which inspired the phrase, “Super Bowl” - and by golly, it stuck! The Super Bowl

was born. Just think what our men would do, if Mr. Hunt had not stumbled upon his

daughter’s super ball, and started the tradition of the BIG GAME.  Vince Lombardi and his

Packers were 13-2, while Hank Stram and his Chief’s were 12-2-1 going into the game. Max

McGee, a wide receiver of the Packers, was the unlikely hero going into the game. He is

quoted as saying, “I waddled in about 7:30 in the morning, and I could barely stand up for

the kickoff. On the bench, Paul (Hornung) kept needling me, ‘What would you do if you had

to play?’ And I said, ‘No way, there’s no way I could make it.’” (Adler, 1967) Just moments

after entering the game though, he caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Bart Starr to cap

off an 80-yard drive that gave the Packers an early lead. On the day, McGee caught seven

passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns as the Packers went on to win the first Super

Bowl, 35-10. Each player on the Packers received a $15,000 bonus for winning the game,

while members of the Chiefs earned $7,500. A one-minute television commercial sold for

$75,000 to $85,000; pocket change compared to the millions spent on airtime now. (1967) 

   More Super bowl history.

That was number one and now…

Future Super Bowl Sites                                                                      

Who will play?      

          Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia

                   Pittsburgh vs. Arizona

          Baltimore vs. Philadelphia

                   Baltimore vs. Arizona?

Between now and the BIG GAME, we will talk some football, share SUPER BOWL

PARTY foods, and get ready to cheer for our team.

 Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Adler, (1967) Super bowl. Retrieved January 14, 2009

     from, http://www.about.com/sports/ 

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The second day of  NaBloPoMo *National Blogger Post Month* and I am 2 for 2 … WTG, Pamela!

This cartoon cracked me up … if you are a “Baby Boomer” with an empty nest … you should be ROFL, I am! Sorry, girls, I know it does not really apply to you, but the cartoon is FUNNY. They are waiting for their ride to the polls to VOTE for their MAN -  John McCain.

Please DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE TOMORROW, this election will go down in the history books for sure. “You betcha! :)  I love the Christianity Today and their webiste. Be sure to check it out before you VOTE tomorrow.

Today is the first day of my last week in this course, The Psychology of Judgement and Decision-Making, at AIU - only nine more classes to go and I will have my Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with Healthcare Management - yay, ME! Wow, I am “tooting my horn” today!

But I want to give a shout out to all the bloggers at 451press to get out and support your candidate tomorrow. In this election, EVERY VOTE WILL COUNT!

Remember, ” Y’all come back! Ya’ hear?”

It is here! Blog Action Post Day 2008! The topic this year is POVERTY. Wow, this is a tough one … especially with the problems in our economy over the last several weeks. It has hit most, if not, ALL Americans where it hurts the most - being able to take care of their families by providing shelter, food, clothing and the necessities for living, the basics. Jobs have been lost, homes foreclosed and families displaced, pension depleted, and people are scared!

Poverty falls across the board and shows no mercy to race, gender, religion, politics, or economics. Persons with a lot of money have “lost it all” and placed in the Welfare system of the Federal Government. Some are able to get jobs and pull themselves up and out of “the system.” The people in poverty that pull at my heart the most are those that have been in this “hell” for three generations and longer … whole families - father, mother, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. It some areas the entire family is sharing a bathroom and sleeping in 1 or 2 bedrooms or on the floor, if they are blessed to have a house to live in. Others are in shelters with their belongings in trash bags, carried from shelter to shelter - no privacy at all. Yet, they manage to get through the day, only to face the same situation when they awake the next day.

Then we find poverty in the lowest form and the hardest to help or understand, those living on the streets of ALL towns and cities across our country. Some (a few) choose this life, I think, because it is all they have ever known. Others removed from mental health institutions and prisons and left without any means of taking care of themselves - if they even know how! This section will grow as our economy continues to stagnate. Whose responsibility is it to change the conditions of people in our society that fall into this awful category of poverty?

EVERYONE … that is the only way to help to eliminate poverty - the buddy system - every adult becomes the friend of an adult in poverty. The BUDDY helps in this way … when shopping for groceries purchase TWO of what they buy, bagged separately, and taken to their buddy. Food is the first need to fill. If a person is not hungry, the chances increase that strength and health improve allowing the search for work each day until a job is found. Each BUDDY will check on their friend each week, offering transportation to health care appointments, job interviews, and church.

Very strong Christian men and women founded our country. Prayer was a daily part of their lives. Church is where you could find them on the Sabbath. What we have forgotten is this is what made us strong as a nation and what kept us strong. Now we have removed prayer from schools, we try to separate church and state, and we ridicule the beliefs held dear by Christians. This MUST change; freedom of religion needs to return. No one is forced to pray, believe, attend, or practice something that is not what he or she wants to do. However, my personal opinion, is one that feels in some cases poverty can be helped by having the strength of prayer and a home church to help person(s) and families.

Will we end poverty in a short amount of time? NO! Can we make a difference? YES!

Let’s start today.

This is an article I found on AOL News this morning. It gives additional information on retirement and the economy today.

Sure to Wreck Your Retirement posted: 12 HOURS 58 MINUTES AGO-comments: 0 filed under: Lifestyle, Money

With the financial markets taking a beating of late, working men and women are keeping a close eye on how it affects their retirement plans. In addition to that, they should also watch out for retirement scams that could put them in the poor house. Walletpop has a look at these little-

Full article. 

Original post appeared here as known loopholes and how to avoid them.Will we look like this at 65? Enjoying the retirement we worked so hard for with our spouse, significant other, friend, or whomever you choose? Or is this a long-earned vacation that will end and we both will return to work?

I hope it is our long-earned retirement!

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Retirement?

Concert!

The vibe in the HOB was phenomenal! In fact, when Delbert McClinton (a great group) arrived and began to play - it was a little disappointing after the electrifying music played by SOUL FUNCTION . Everywhere in the HOB - the questions were, “How do I get in touch with the ‘openers’?”, “Who the heck are they and where have they been?”, “Are they a local band?”, “Do they have a CD available?”

OK, Mr Manager Man, a small bit of advice: Do not let the band lose this opportunity for some fantastic PR and wonderful memories! Get cards for each band member, do the leg work - flyers on every post, window, bar, hotel, business, and welcome station across SC, NC… Well, whereever you think. Remember, this is your job - PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE!

And SOUL FUNCTION - get your sound on a demo CD, NOW; share it with friends (word of mouth PR is the best kind), have the CD with contact cards available when you play a gig. BE PROUD. you have earned the praise. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Add to your play list, continue to solo band members - introduce your members, and thank your fans, family, and friends for their support.

WEB SITE - is there one? If not, WHY? This is where people will go to try and learn more about SOUL FUNCTION , their history, bio of members, calendar of when and where they will be, and to hear snip-its of their material. Have a comment space … ooo, a MYSPACE page immediately!!! THEY HAVE A MYSPACE PAGE …HERE.

The headliner, Delbert McClinton, a fine performance - especially the solo music by members of the band. To be fair, this was my first exposure to Delbert McClinton and his band. I liked them. I will purchase several singles from their play list. If you want their “stuff, you can find it through, MUCH MORE FOR LESS ONLINE.

The effort for this Country Gal (back and sinus surgery) to get to the concert was TOTALLY worth it. The best outing for me in a long time! WTG. SOUL FUNCTION and daughter of mine for a great experience. OK, folks, keep your eyes and ears open and watch out for Soul Function … looks like they will be out and about in the Myrtle Beach area. If they are in your area, make it a “MUST DO” to see and hear them perform.

See what happens when you let the Country Gal come to the city!

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

not in our household! Oh we thought this year would be ‘THE YEAR’… hahaha - the joke is on us. The housing market is in a steady decline which for baby boomers thinking about downsizing is causing a longer selling time of homes and at a lower price! This changed the projected figures in most portfolios; however, this was offset by the purchase of a smaller home at a stealdeal. For some, the economy has taken homes, lifestyles, and dignity. Retirement is changing for lots of “Boomers”. Many are finding they will work longer than planned. Some will retire, but find the need to work ‘filler’ jobs to make ends meet. Many will be offered packages to retire early … and will take them. Somehow this picture does not look, feel, or seem right. Is it because the news is filled with another bail-out by the government of another huge financial corporation, in my opinion, that mismanaged their business. Everyone says it is a direct result of our economy, probably … but, at some point - sooner, rather than later - these corporations need to operate within their means … a balanced budget for business and government would be wonderful! Does any of this affect retirement?

Possibly. Especially if your retirement account/plan/pension is associated with one of the companies about to declare bankruptcy. However, the Government continues to bailout these companies, the latest, AIG. Please follow the highlighted link and read the full story which tells the figure has reached $900 billion! Impossible to truly comprehend. And happening in an election year. “Baby Boomers” need to research how this may affect them and their retirement - Will the retirement accounts, 401Ks, IRAs, pension plans and bank accounts be there when they are needed? Retirees hope so. One of the best organizations offering help with all aspects of retirement is The Lure of Money

Not much going on this week - resting. Not sure if it is recovering from surgery or just an awfully L. O. N. G. week, but I am thrilled the week-end is here . I never knew resting could be so exhausting! I have found a photo I really like and it reminds me of “my little piece of heaven” here on our wonderful earth. I am going to use it for until I tire of it! It is peaceful, it reminds us - we are not in control … but a much higher power, our Heavenly Father, and all the glory goes to Him!

A lot going on in the news - politics, are YOU ready for November 4th?
Election Day “>

Oops, time sure flies when you’re having FUN!

Remember,“Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Most of us know all about “social media” - myspace, facebook, twitter, and of course, blogs. These are only a few of what is available under the heading “social media.” If you are lucky enough to have adolescents, tweens, and teenagers, you are familiar with this term, the time spent using it, the cost of the opportunity, and the infamous number of choices of the gadgets that support this new pass-time. I must interject that this does cross the generation gap and just as many twenty-somethings, thirty-somethings, and EVEN senior citizens partake of the ”goodies” found on social media . A form of what I am speaking of will be found through this link … a new format, a great topic, fantastic people voicing their opinions.

I hope you understand now what social media is, who is attracted to the format, and how it affects their lives. Now, do YOU think we need it? If so, or if not, why?

My personal opinion is a huge, resounding, YES! My reasons can be characterized by the photo above. If you study it, you will see the earth world, what appears to be a business man thinking, and a growth chart showing a huge growth in business, sales, income, clients, whatever YOU want it to be … in my mind, the thinking was the most important step to reaching this goal. Then sharing the thought with fellow “like thinkers” (easier to bring on board, :)!), gaining their support and moving forward to the end product … again, whatever YOU want it to be!  You may be wondering - how does this have anything to do with social media?  I feel it has everything to do with it! Every idea could have been started by something seen, heard, or read on the Internet. It was then discussed online through IM, email, comments, and friends on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Friendfeed, and the many other “connections” available to mingle, share, and learn from one another. Still think there is no correlation between the “thought” and the “product” to social media? 

Then YOU are my target for the upcoming posts. I hope to show you, teach you and convince you that social media plays a huge part in all assets of our lives …

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

My last post was July 4 … no, it is not my fault … in fact, it can not be blamed on any one person or event. Simply put, 451press was experiencing growing pains! I do not think TPTB really had a clue as to what to expect with the upgrades, new servers, … pretty much new and improved everything!

The really “new look” of the site and blogs themselves took my breathe away. Hats off to Steve S., Captain of this ship, great job! I know we whined, emailed over and over, and talked about the l. o. n. g. time it was taking, among ourselves, but I(we) hung in there … despite all of it! I, for one, am glad I did. Thank you for the hard work you put in on this project. Now, we can all get back to WORK and write, write, write.

I have to admit I was surprised when I logged in without any “heavy load” message, so much so, that I have totally lost my thoughts which had been processed with a great idea for my first blog back … That surely means it would have been outstanding (loosing thoughts has to be the down side of growing older). Of course, getting the “Senior Discount” makes up for loosing your mind!

This is so much fun - being back and working hard for the money! It’s not so much the hard work as it is finding the time to sit down and actually write … hang in there! I’ll be in the groove with the next post, I promise! Until then … Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

If you have tried to get here over the past few weeks, you probably had trouble. The reason for the delays,“experiencing high load” message, and “unable to load page” is a change of server, upgrading the system, and upgrading software, etc. The inconvenience to each of us should be worth it once it is complete. That is my story and I am sticking to it! Insider humor, bear with me it has been a long, hot week. Thank you for continuing to try, it is good to have you here!

In honor of the Fourth of July, here is a salute to our freedom and those who protect it and a little history lesson from my long distance carrier, AmericanFone …

INDEPENDENCE DAY!

We declared our independence, our right to be free as a nation, 232 years ago this month. If there is one lesson we have learned in that time, it is that freedom and independence are not solid and eternal. They are slippery and constantly changing. You cannot put them in an air-tight viewing box, like the Declaration of Independence itself. If you do not watch carefully, if you do not tend them and keep them alive, they die out. They go away.There may always be people with less-than-honorable intentions ready to chip away at your freedoms and usurp your independence if you let them. But thankfully, America is also full of people who are fiercely protective of what our forefathers’ and patriots throughout the generations since have fought to protect. Not only in wars, but by writing, speaking out, voting and battling injustice in the courts. A salute to the courageous patriots who Keep the flame alive!

A SHORT HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE DAY  “Taxation without representation is tyranny!” That was the rallying cry of the American colonists rebelling against British rule. The colonists were being forced to pay taxes to England with no representation in British Parliament. They had no say about how much tax they would pay no say as to how their tax money was to be spent. With rumors of rebellion, growing, British troops went in to keep the colonists in line. The colonists tried to broker a peaceful solution, but their attempts were repeatedly rebuffed. On June 11, 1776, the colonist’s Continental Congress met to declare officially, in writing, that they were no longer willing to live under British rule.Thomas Jefferson, known for his great eloquence and statesmanship, was given the job of creating the document. In addition, a difficult job it turned out to be! More than 86 alterations were made to the document before it was declared complete. On July 4, 1776, the final version of the Declaration of Independence was signed and copies were sent out among the colonists. The Fourth of July has been celebrated in the United States every year since, but it was not until 1870 that Congress officially declared it a National Holiday. In 1938, Congress re-affirmed Independence Day, making it a paid holiday for all federal employees. Today, people across the country celebrate and acknowledge their priceless gift of freedom they enjoy with parades, picnics and glorious fireworks displays.

My goodness, it was just a trip to the Super Wal-mart to pick up medications from our friendly pharmacy staff and a few grocery items. Then waiting in the check-out line, “it” caught my eye - TIME 1968 - the flashbacks immediately started … because that was the best year of my life, I promise.

HOW MANY OF YOU REMEMBER …

The TET Offensive

Signs of the Times, LOOK - FEEL - STYLES - SMILES

Johnson will not, not run for President

REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. assassinated in Memphis, TN

BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS EXPLODE

Pop Music - RAP

The siege of the KHE SANH

HAIR!

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TAKEN OVER BY STUDENTS

Senator Bobby Kennedy wins the California Democratic Primary … and is gunned down!

Pop Artist, Andy Warhol is shot in NYC Studio, called THE FACTORY…

“In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” AW, 1968

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

The Graduate

Screen Scene 1968:Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?; Rosemary’s Baby; Night of the Living Dead; Barbarella; Funny Girl; Planet of the Apes

Czechoslovakia freedom for one brief moment …

Chicago Riots - 7 Tried

DISSENTERS: Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin Yippees, Tom Hayden

OLYMPICS

Sport Greats: OJ Simpson :(, Jean Claude Killy, Peggy Fleming, Arthur Ashe, Detroit vs St. Louis - World Series, Vince Lombardi, Mohammed Ali

FAREWELL CAMELOT: Jackie Kennedy and Onassis

TV: Laugh In - “Sock it to me!”; The Mod Squad; Elvis; 60 Minutes; The Andy Griffith Show; The Prisoner

LAW, ORDER, NIXON? Nelson Rockefeller, George Wallace

Julie Nixon weds David Eisenhower

Ronald Reagan

THE BEATLES: “Hey Jude” and “The White Album”

Norman Mailer, Author

Destination: HELL - North Korea seizes US spy ship

Borman, Anders, Lowell - First Generation Astronauts

Year’s End - New Perspectives - Where were you in 1968?

Courtesy of Time, Inc. “Specials: 40th Anniversary Special, TIME 1968″

• Comments made in the year 1955!
• That’s only 52 years ago!
• “Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won’t be long before$2, 000.00 will only buy a used one.”
• “If cigarettes keep going up in price, I’m going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous.”
• “Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter”
• “If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.”
• “When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we’d be better off leaving the car in the garage.”
• “Kids today are impossible. Those duck tail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls.”
• “I’m afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying DAMN in GONE WITH THE WIND, it seems every new movie has either HELL of DAMN in it.”
• “I read the other day where some scientist thinks it’s possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas.”
• “Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn’t surprise me if someday they’ll be making more than the President.”
• “I never thought I’d see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now.”
• “It’s too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.”
• “It won’t be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.”
• “Marriage doesn’t mean a thing any more, those Hollywood stars seem to be getting divorced at the drop of a hat.”
• “I’m afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.”
• “Thank goodness I won’t live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to congress.”
• “The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.”
• “There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for a weekend, it costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel.”
• “No one can afford to be sick anymore, at $35.00 a day in the hospital it’s too rich for my blood.”
• “If they think I’ll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it.”

Thank you to my friend, Sally, for the quotes and the memories!Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!’

• “

Like I said … mercy me!

You know you laughed, OK, it is PG-13, but it is so funny. Girls, especially, if you are there, been there or headed there …

“Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

When did I fall into this r. u. t.? Way to much talk about TV in the country this week, but everywhere you turn someone is complainingtalking about it. The Country Music Association Awards are worth talking about … such talent, exposed skin (sorry, but true), and surprising!

AND THE WINNERS ARE: http://www.cmaawards.com/2007/

Surprises? Or did you pick the winners?

What a great night!

CMA awards, ABC, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, CMA winners