dailyprompt

My Favorite Movies

I have two favorite movies and have watched them many times. I have the DVD for both them and pop them in when I need an uplifting moment. Also, if I happen to be watching or streaming tv and I stumble onto them I start watching.

The first is, How the West was won. This is a 1962 movie originally filmed in Cinerama. This was a process of projecting on three screens, and it was supposed to give you a panoramic view. I was nice, but you could see the splits of the three screens. When they remastered the movie for the DVD the split screens are not so obvious. The storyline was about a family that migrated from the east and migrated to the western frontier. It had stories about the Civil War. How the train expansion helped speed up the expansion into the frontier and stories taking place in San Franscisco and California. The music in this movie was great! It was an important part to the success of the movie.

My other favorite is Patton. This is a 1970 movie about the experience of General Patton during World War Two. This is my favorite movie about World War Two. There is Saving Private Ryan, Battle of the Bulge and many more. However, Patton is my favorite. For some reason I have a large interest in this war. I don’t know why. Maybe it was because I was born at the beginning and my parents talked a lot about the war when I was growing up. I have watched every episode on the History Channel about the battles, and Hitler with the Third Reich. Maybe I am trying to understand how people became so dark to do what atrocities they did then. In my life there has been World War Two, Korean War, Viet Nam War, The Gulf war in 1990, and the Iraq War in 2003. I know I left some out. My life has been full of wars. However, my most interest has been WWII.

Daily writing prompt

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

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Superstition Versus Faith

from Wikipedia, “A superstition is any belief or practice considered by non-practitioners to be irrational or supernatural, attributed to fate or magic, perceived supernatural influence, or fear of that which is unknown.”

Faith is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept. In the context of religion, faith is “belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion”. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.

Throughout my life I have been exposed to many superstitions. For example, do no step on the cracks in a sidewalk, brings bad luck. Break a mirror, you experience seven years of bad luck. Four leaf clovers bring good luck. Friday the 13th is a bad day. My oldest son was born on Friday the 13th, I can’t say that was bad luck, but good. I could go on for hours about superstitious encounters in my life.

I am a product of a religious mother and grandmother. They were very religious Catholics. I was raised a Catholic. I suppose you could say baptism is evolved around a superstition. If you are not baptized, you die with original sin and will never see heaven. I was taught if you die with a mortal sin, you do not go to heaven. You should be in the state of grace to receive the sacrament of marriage and so on.

I have had strange spiritual events in my life. My mother had a very painful medical death, and she was terrified of dying. How could this be? She was a very religious person, and all this faith did not prepare her for death and the other side. This really bothered me that she was so unprepared. About a week after her service I had a dream, my mother was there sitting in her favorite chair and said, “Tom everything is good. Do not worry about me, continue your life!? I was put at peace and my confusion resolved.

I had another dream about this girl that I have not seen or heard of for over forty years. She said in my dream, “Tom, you and I were meant to be together. If we would have ended up together our lives would have been totally different.” Yes, that bothered me. After forty or more years why did I have a dream about her? This bothered me for a couple of months, and I finally went to my alumni newsletters and got here married name and made an internet search and found out that she died three days prior to my dream. This is spooky. However, it did convince me that death is not the end.

Another event happened in the last ten to fifteen years. I was going for a walk around the park and this loud voice came and said, “Tom, stop trying to be somebody else! Just be yourself! That is what you are expected to be! Ever since, that I am Just Myself!

So, is this superstition or faith? I guess it all depends on what the definition a person has of superstition and faith. I know one thing for sure. My spiritual events have impacted my life more than all religious teaching and superstitions.

Daily writing prompt

Are you superstitious?

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100 Years Ago

Dear Tom, it’s hard to believe that a hundred years ago you came into this world. It was shortly after the beginning of World War Two. You were only three years old when the war was over, so I am sure you do not remember much about this war. However, remember standing in front of the home and watching the military vehicles driving down the busy street a block and a half away going to Denver Federal Center maybe five miles west of home. It seemed like hours watching all those trucks going by. I am sure your parents talked about the war a lot when you were very young. I am sure their conversations left a lasting impression on you.

Remember your mother walking you to school when you started grade school. There was a busy street between home and school, and she wanted you to be safe. Miss Kusckan, Mrs. Keebler and Miss Lee are teachers one never forgets. All the boys had a crush on Miss Lee. She was young, blond and so sweet. Everyone’s dream was shattered when Mr. Groutt, the math teacher married her.

Life continues with junior high and high school. Those years were tough years. Our hormones were acting up and strange. Unfortunately, those were years of anger and hatred. We were mad at ourselves and everyone else in our life. Smoking and drinking became an important part of life.

Then came full time employment and the army. Remember when you took the military oath after being drafted and the night long train trip to Ft Leonard Missouri. The military sure changed your life and outlook about other people. Looking back at this time you learned so much about people by meeting people from all parts of the country, New York City, Florida New Orleans, California, Chicago, just to name a few. If Viet Nam wasn’t staring you in the face, you may have made the army your career.

Back from your military duty you were looking for love and someone to have a family and begin the life every young red-blooded American wanted. Your desires come true, and you meet a young lady from Nebraska. Then marriage, a home, two sons and good job. Life could not be better. Unfortunately, this dream came to an end after about eleven years.

Divorced, unemployed because your job was eliminated. These were challenging times for you. But you did not give up. During those times you met your future. You met her in a divorce support group. Ten years later marriage happened. you have now been together for over forty years. Yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Remember a year ago you were at deaths door and Doctor Death was holding the door open. You defied the odds that only three to five percent survive this kind of procedure and forty to fifty percent die within six months after the procedure due to some other illness. It was just not your time. Your journey is not finished.

After eighteen more additional years I am wishing you a Happy 100th Birthday! You have had quite the journey. You have met and interacted with thousands of individuals through this life and learned a lot. I must remind you that the purpose in life is to learn. Learn as much as you can in your life!

Sincerely, Your Subconscious.

Daily writing prompt

Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.

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A Three Letter Middle Name

My middle name is Lee. A simple name just like me. Does it have any special meaning, I don’t think so. The story I got from my parents is that they did not know what to name me. They did not want to name me after any relative or friend. My older brother was named after my father, and they said that they found out after a period of time the same name in the family can be confusing. My brother is five years older than me and there was only the two of us.

I was born after the beginning of World War Two and my parents told me they could not think of a good name. so, for a name search they went to the listing of the men being drafted into the military. Apparently during that period, the draftees’ names were printed in the newspapers. They came across the name of Thomas Lee, they like it and here I am. I do not have a clue what his last name was or anything else. All I know he was from the Denver metro area.

Daily writing prompt

What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance?

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About Tom T2.0

I Do Not Have a Favorite Shoe

Sorry, I did not have a favorite shoe. To me a shoe is a necessity not a luxury. Life would be tough without shoes. Looking at scenes during Jesus’s era and seeing those open sandals and bare feet. No Thank You!

I remember when going to grade school high top tennis shoes were the type to have. You just didn’t fit in if you did not have high top tennis shoes. My mother would shop at Thom McAnn’s shoe store, and we always got our shoes there. Are they even around anymore? A new pair of shoes always gave you a blister somewhere on your foot. When I started in corporate management Florsheim shoes were the brand to have. I had one pair, and they were the worse shoes in my life. After a short period of time, they were not comfortable and lasted less than six months. That was the last Florsheim I bought.

In the army I received two pairs of combat boots and one pair of class A shoes. Since I have a small foot, size eight, I received combat boots made for WWII They had a date of 1944 in the boot, and this was twenty years after the war. The boots received the most attention in my entire life. They always needed to be shined and one pair had to be spit shined for guard duty. They lasted many years after I got out of the army. Probably the reason they lasted was because I did not wear them that often.

I never did get into all these designer shoes or sport shoes like Nike, New Balance, Adidas or others. After I married, I accepted shoes from Target, K-Mart, or Walmart. Cared less about brand name but how they feel and wear. I am still in that position now.

In conclusion, I never had a favorite pair of shoes and never walked “The Yellow Brick Road” in them.

Daily writing prompt

Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

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A Gift of Life

February 7, 2023, I received a gift from God. It was one of the greatest gifts I have received. On that day I was afflicted with a gigantic blood clot between my lungs. The surgeons gave me three options. The first was attempt to use medication to break up the clot. The second was to go up through the groin into the artery using anesthesia. The third was the same procedure but the patient stayed awake without going under anesthesia. They said they had the best results when the patient stayed awake. I picked that option. The most painful was when they cut into the artery to insert their equipment.

Somewhere in the procedure I was feeling very bad. I was at the point that I thought this is my last breath. I must have passed out and sometime later I woke up and was starting to feel better. The remainder of the procedure took about forty-five minutes. after completion the surgeon talked to me and he said, “Tom I think the right decision was made to stay awake. I am afraid if you would have gone under anesthesia, I would have lost you”. At that moment I realized I just received a gift from God!

After three days in ICU and an additional day in the hospital, I went home. Doing some research and I find that only three to five percent survive a clot of that size. Also, most patients die within six months after. Well, it has been over a year now and I am still here! This has truly been a gift from God. How long this gift continues only God knows.

https://tomt2.com/2023/08/10/my-blood-clot/

Daily writing prompt

Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.

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Patriotism

A patriot is a person who loves their country. It is generally seen as a positive. Many have ancestry from a foreign country. They have seen or heard how their life has improved in this country compared to where their ancestors came from. They have realized they can believe a religion they may have been restricted from. The world is full of controlling countries and that may be the reason they immigrated. Whatever the reason, a love for a country is starting to materialize when they come to this country and feel the opportunities. Have you ever heard of anyone immigrating to Russia, North Korea for the opportunities?

Defending a country against its enemies, and a desire to see it succeed is very important. There are national cemeteries across the nation that are full of patriots that stepped up and fought and defended the country. Millions are in these cemeteries that made the supreme sacrifice in battle defending this love of country.

Most countries aim to instill patriotism in their youths from a young age, often through education and exposure to patriotic symbols and events. I remember in grade school they would raise the flag when the students were entering. When they were raising the flag, you would stop and wait until the flag was raised. We were taught about the many symbols and history of this country. Unfortunately, I have heard that this has diminished in the last years. If this is true, I am afraid that this will affect this country in the future.

Patriots believe it’s their duty to vote in elections. This is based on their sincere desire for their country to succeed. Patriots pay attention to the events that are happening in the country and vote accordingly. Way too many do not vote and do not have a clue what is going on in the country. I am concerned that this lack of interest could affect the future of this country.

Yes, I consider myself to be a patriot. I vote consistently and follow local and national news and events. I served in the military and was willing to give my life for this country. I respect the flag and symbols of the country. I love this country and have no desire to go to any other country. This country has been very good to me, and I have lived the American Dream.

Daily writing prompt

Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

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I am Just a Mere Mortal

I can’t jump tall buildings, not as fast as a speeding bullet. I haven’t received any heroic metals or certificates. Not a high paying singer, actor or businessman. Not an elected official or important in a religious order. I am just a mere mortal.

Born during World War II. Raised in Denver Metro area. Spent two years in the army. Went to Germany during that time. Got married a while later. Fathered two great sons. Had to experience a divorce and the heartbreaks associated with that. Remarried again after I met the woman, I should have met twenty years sooner. She blessed me with two great stepdaughters and two stepsons. After working forty-five years, retired and now have enjoyed over seventeen years of retirement life. I have experienced the “American Dream!”

Just a mere Mortal.

Daily writing prompt

If there was a biography about you, what would the title be?

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Remembering My Parents

What were your parents doing at your age? Unfortunately, my parent’s journey was over before they reached my age. My mother passed on from bone cancer when she was seventy-five. This was in 1982. Three years later, my father passed on from a heart attack when he was seventy-five. This was in 1985. Since I am over eighty, they both are watching me from heaven then and now.

I have many good memories of mom and dad. They gave me a strong base to live my life. What I am and what I have done is because of them and the values and lessons they taught me. Sure, we had disagreements and differences, but I will always remember and love them for what they gave me and the love they showed for me. I am confident somewhere in the future we will meet again.

Daily writing prompt

What were your parents doing at your age?

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King For a Day

If I had the power to change one law, it would be to enforce the laws now on the books. It can be seen everywhere that current laws are not being enforced. For example, thousands are coming across the border every day. All of a sudden, the immigration laws are not being enforced. Crime is rampant in major cities. If by chance they are arrested, then the DA then releases them with no bail. Just to be released to commit their next crime. Shop lifting must be legal these days. A new phrase emerges, “smash and grab” where large numbers enter a store and take whatever they want. You never hear of any arrests and prosecutions for these crimes. When was the last time you saw a police officer writing a ticket for a traffic offense? How many expired license plates have you seen lately? Because of the political atmosphere it has made it appear that there is a double standard in the prosecuting procedure. Any law that is not enforced, the law becomes useless.

Daily writing prompt

If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

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My Dream Came True

Here is a video of our dream home. These are photos that was on the agents listing.

Back in 2016 my dream came true. For about two years prior we have been looking for a new home. A medical emergency prompted us to do a home search since the EMT’s was not able to get their gurney down the hallway. We looked at many building sites in the Denver Metro area and was not having much luck finding our dream home. We were about to give up the search and started to accept that the home would not be found.

One night around eight PM we were driving down this street we have been down many times in the past. I was going east and happened to see this for sale sign in a residential neighborhood. I asked my wife, “would you like to tour a home I just saw a for sale sign?” She said, “might as well, it doesn’t look like we will find a new home.” When we got home, I made an internet search and got the address and listing. It was just put on the market Thursday one day ago. Contacted our agent and she made an appointment for Saturday afternoon. We went Saturday and signed a contract the following Sunday.

The house was built in 1998 and the original owner was moving to Phoenix and was selling his home. It was all I ever wanted in a home. A two-car garage that didn’t need to be used for storage space. A large master bedroom larger than the 10 x 12 one we are used to. The laundry room is on the first floor, one of the requirements since we are becoming seasoned citizens. The HOA takes care of the lawn, trash pickup, snow removal, gutter cleaning, and other items. The basement is finished, and it has a workshop. something I have always been dreaming about. This was the final straw. I wanted this house.

To this day I still do not know how I saw the for-sale sign. It was dark and four houses down the side street. My wife says, “it was the Holy Spirit at work and this home was meant for us”. One will never know. We have been here for eight years and will more than likely spend the rest of our lives here.

Daily writing prompt

Write about your dream home.

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Amazing News?

I guess this all depends on a person’s definition of amazing, fantastic news. My definition is some news that affects the entire world not just my small piece of the world. For example, the fall of the Berlin Wall to me was fantastic news. Since I was born during WWII. Communism was a great threat while growing up. I had to spend two years in the army in Germany because of the Iron Curtain. In 1975 I took a trip and crossed the Iron Curtain from Budapest to Vienna Austria. The border was very depressing, 100 yards of defoliated land and machine gun towers 100 yards apart along the border. Fifty miles from the border the tour guide got off the bus. We asked why, she replied, “I am not allowed to get any closer to the border.” We have many freedoms we just take for granted. The Iron Curtain was to keep people in, not stopping people from immigrating in. The Apollo moon landing and return was fantastic news also.

On a closer note, I cannot think of something that was amazingly fantastic. A year ago, I thought I took my last breath. When I awoke from passing out and heard that the survival rate was three to five percent for this kind of procedure, I thought that was great and thanked the Lord for giving me a second chance. I had a good feeling but that is all I could do because I had to stay flat on my back for three days. So, I couldn’t get up start dancing and celebrate. The medical personnel acted like just another day saving lives. Link

I have not experienced a loved one near me survive a serious illness or accident and then survived. I do not know how I would react. I don’t play the lottery so I will never experience winning millions. I kind of doubt that I will ever experience a “great, amazingly fantastic news event”! Time will tell.

Daily writing prompt

You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

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My Interests Have Changed

Throughout my many years I have had many interests. In my teenage years, cars and hotrods captivated my interest. After I got my driver’s license, I bought a 1940 Ford two door sedan. It was a refugee from the junk yard. I paid $125.00 for it. My dream was to make it a car show item. I didn’t have a garage and spent many hours in the back yard sanding, cleaning up and learning about engine repair and modifications. This was before all of these emission requirements, and they were not as sophisticated as they are today. I quickly learned that those hot rod items were expensive, and my budget did not have room for those expenses. A couple of years after high school this hobby was over.

After I got married, we bought a home where the basement was partially finished. This was my next interest, to upgrade the basement. Hanging drywall and paneling was one of the jobs. Putting drywall on a ceiling is a task you never forget. Everyone wanted a bar, so I had to have a bar. All of these projects were a learning experience. you learn to appreciate craftsmen that do this for a living. You could easily see that my projects were done by a “do it yourselfer”.

The most recent hobby I had was building birdhouses. We moved into a new home for us in 2016. This new home had a workshop and I started building birdhouses. One had to put this new workshop to use, right? I built many birdhouses. I gave birdhouses to neighbors. I sold birdhouses in garage sales. But after a while I had an overabundance of birdhouses. I finally thought enough is enough. In the end I gave the remaining birdhouses to a thrift store.

There have been other interests and hobbies that I enjoyed. Fishing, hunting, RV’s, computer repairs and others. As I aged and matured my interests have changed. The longest interest I have retained is writing. Computers and the internet have helped this interest. I remember that you had to retype many manuscripts before you had an acceptable piece. I have had this site since 2009. It was a little dormant for a period. Now, “I’m Back.”

My first post

Daily writing prompt

Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?

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M&M’s

I am addicted to M&M’S dark chocolate. I am not ashamed of it. I have been eating them since the announcement of the dark chocolate type. I still remember the saying, “M&M’s melt in your mouth, not in your hand!” I think M&M’s originated in World War II. The fighting forces liked their chocolate, and the M&M was created to fulfill that desire and solved the chocolate melting problem.

The Most Popular Candy in 16 Countries

according to this link The US: M&Ms and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

I get the family size package size, and gobble down approximately one a week.

After writing this post I must go grab a handful of M&M’s MMMMMM Good

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite candy?

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Time for Spring

I have king sized cabin fever! I am sick and tired of the cold days. I am tired of the funny winter hats. My hands are always cold. I miss sitting out on the porch enjoying the sunshine.

I received a battery-operated hand warmer last Christmas. The name on it is Zippo. I am sure many vets remember the name Zippo. In my military days everyone had a Zippo lighter. I guess the sales of lighters these days are not that high, so they had to diversify. The hand warmer is nice though. Rechargeable and you can plug into your smartphone and use it in case your smartphone battery dies.

Denver Metro had a record-breaking snowfall recently and that did not help at all. I did not go out of the home for three days and that does not help cabin fever one bit.

The older I become the more I cannot tolerate cold winter months. If I was twenty years younger, I may consider moving to a warmer winter month state. However, I am sure family would convince us to not even consider it. I guess all that leaves is to moan and groan about the cold months.

I need a break!

Daily writing prompt

Do you need a break? From what?

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Computers and Internet

The most important invention to me is the computer and the internet. I couldn’t do today what I am doing now. It is hard to imagine the world without modern day computer technology.

I wrote this blog on November 6th. How many computers do you have? This blog pretty much covers everything I need to write about my love for computers.

Daily writing prompt

The most important invention in your lifetime is…

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It Will Not Happen in My Life

WARNING! THIS IS A DOWNER POST!

I have a lot of tough requirements for me to have an ideal day. They are way beyond of what I have very little control over. But I can dream and pray that they will come about someday. Below is my list of requirements.

Recently powerful countries have hinted they may resort to using nuclear weapons. I was raised in the era where “duck and cover” was taught in the schools. Here I was maybe one or two years in elementary school, and they were teaching us in case there is nuclear event on how to improve our chances of survival. This was very scary. Something you never forget. Remember the phrase? “Mutual Assured Destruction” It appears that world powers have not learned a thing. Here we are close to the possibility of destroying the world again.
The world is on fire. Russia attacks Ukraine for reasons I don’t understand. How long will the conflict continue? Hammas attacks Israel. The conflict has spread to other parts of the Middle East. Houthis have attacked international shipping in the Red Sea. Three American soldiers have been killed in Jordan. United States has retaliated with bombing and destruction. Is this conflict growing.
Locally, the southern border is wide open, and millions have crossed. I have ancestors who immigrated to America. That was in the era of Ellis Island. It was organized and documentation was required. Many were sent back to their countries for medical or health and documentation flaws. Why can they now just walk across the border with very little information? What happened to the immigration laws and requirements?
Crime is rampant. Every day on the news you see and hear about car thefts, shootings and murders. Snatch and grab is new terminology that I have never heard before. What has happened to fear and respect for the laws? Homeless camps are springing up everywhere. Large cities are spending millions providing housing, food and medicine for the homeless. The cities with great histories have become filthy and dangerous. Many stores and companies are closing and moving out. They are slowly dying on the vine.
I have never seen so much hate and anger in the political arena. Very seldom do you hear the platform on issues and problems. All you see and hear is personal attacks on their opponent. Both parties are basically corrupt. They use any old law they can find to indict or impeach their opponent. This is the nastiest election I ever remember, and we are still 8-9 months away from the election.

These are just five items of concern for me that should be fixed before I have an ideal day. Have I lost faith in this country? No! But there is a lot of hard work and time to fix these problems.

Daily writing prompt

Describe your most ideal day from beginning to end.

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Happenings Plus Time Equals Your Life

I have many years to go back and review events that have been in my life and see if they changed anything about me. I have had medical issues, accidents, romance, spiritual issues, and a near death event. I am near journeys end. It may be soon or ten years from now. Only time will tell.

There have been many events in my life that I have published here already. Below are links to the events if you are interested in.

My Blood Clot A Strange Tale Memories of Faith Touched by God A Journey of Faith

The above and other events have changed my perspective. That leaves the passage of time. I am different now in relation to my younger years. I feel I am smarter and wiser than years gone by. Many times, you may have heard, “What is the purpose of life?” My feeling is you are put on this earth to learn and experience events. From birth to death, you learn from whomever you encounter and events in your life. I firmly believe that death on this earth is not the end of your journey.

Daily writing prompt

How do significant life events or the passage of time influence your perspective on life?

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I Avoid the Kitchen

This was Friday’s prompt, and I had a senior moment and failed to publish it. So, here it is!

As you can see from the title the kitchen is not one of my favorite places. I try not to cook. I never learned how to cook. I was raised with a mother and grandmother who did all the cooking. My mother was a homemaker and did not work outside of the home. My grandmother was with us until she passed on when I was fifteen. I don’t remember if my mother offered to show me how to cook or I did not have any interest. Also, grandma needed something to do, and she helped mom cook. The era I grew up the mother and the father had specific duties. The father worked and brought home the bacon. The mother was the home keeper and raised the children. The most I remember about my dad was him coming from work and sitting in the living room reading the daily newspaper and waiting until dinner was ready. After supper he would continue reading the paper or magazines until bedtime.

I lived at home until I was drafted into the army. No cooking lessons there. Unless you want to say peeling potatoes and cleaning pots and pans is a cooking lesson. Meals and food were provided by the army. After my tour was over, I returned home.

I lived with my parents until I married. I married a woman that was some years younger than me. she just graduated from beautician school and didn’t have a job. She needed something to do so she started doing the cooking and worked for a temp service. Pregnancy came soon after marriage vows. This marriage lasted about ten years.

You are what you are exposed to. I grew up in the atmosphere where the husband works, and the wife is the homemaker and child raiser with very little crossing of these duties. I think this was part of the problem in the marriage. During that time, I didn’t see it, but, as I age, I am seeing things differently.

Here I am divorced, living in an apartment by myself with very little cooking skills to my name. Me and millions of others are the reason fast food, frozen dinners, microwaves are so popular. Who wants to come home from work dead tired and cook something so you can eat alone. Those years were the hardest years in my life.

I then met a great woman who was willing to take on the challenge of me. We have been together for over forty years and was married in 1995. My cooking skills are still very limited, but I am willing to cross over the line and help. I also clean up after a meal and put the dishes in the dishwasher and other duties around the kitchen.

In conclusion, the kitchen is not my favorite room. There are times when I wish I would have learned more about the kitchen and cooking.

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite thing to cook?

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Cleaning Out Files

Yes, I have files and paperwork over sixty years old. Why do I keep this stuff? I have tax returns back to 1995. Isn’t the statute of limitations five or seven years? I have cancelled checks and bank statements back to 1977. Files on previously own cars. Who cares when the oil was changed on my 1973 Vega Chevrolet. I have about two drawers full of credit card statements and purchase receipts. Many of the credit cards have been closed long ago. I could go on and on with examples of more than likely useless files.

I also have files on homes I previously owned. I am hesitant to get rid of them. For example, some years ago I received a letter from a utility company saying that I owed back money because the renter stopped paying. These bills were after the time the house was sold. I had to verify that I sold the house before the bills were dated. I am glad that I never destroyed that information.

Files and records are a necessary evil. The hard part is to decide what should be kept and what is unnecessary to save. Paperless records have helped since saving an electronic statement is much easier than filing a paper document. Seven years ago, when we moved into our new home, I had the ambition to clean out my file cabinets. How boring! That did not last long, maybe two hours. Yes, it is on my list of things to do, but I kind of doubt if it will ever happen. My family can do that after I leave.

Daily writing prompt

Something on your “to-do list” that never gets done.

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Vintage computer

A long long time ago, 1994 to be exact. I purchased my first computer. It was purchased from a fellow worker who built computers from scratch. If memory is correct, I spent $700 for this computer. We are so spoiled these days comparing this computer back in 1994. The most time spent was waiting for the computer to compute.

Windows 3.1 was the operating system. The transfer system was a floppy disc. The capacity was under 500 kilobits. This was before CD disc drives. New programs came on a collection of floppy discs, 2, 3, maybe 4 or 5. During those days everyone shared programs. Copyright license laws were useless. “Hey Joe, I got this new program want a copy?” It had 2 megabytes of RAM. Gigabyte memories were not even thought of. The hard drive was way below 1000 megabytes. No such thing as USB or thumb drives. Oh, how spoiled we have become.

You have a computer, so you need a printer to be complete. A printer is added. More memory is used for the printer. the computer becomes slower. Oh, I am getting into the computing thing, a flatbed scanner is needed. More memory is needed. The computer becomes slower. Somewhere in that era combination printers/scanners start showing up.

To be a computer guru you need a modem to get online. 32k modems were the thing and the big event was when the new revolutionary 64k modem came out. Phone line connection only, no Wi Fi at this time. you get online and wait, wait and wait some more. Oh, all this took more memory, and your computer became slower and slower.

If I remember correctly, I kept this computer until after Y2K. Most equipment did not have facilities to handle anything beyond 1999. I forget how this problem was solved. But I do remember it created a lot of panic. Since my first computer I have lost track of how many computers I have purchased in the last 30 years. I am sure it has been over ten. Most have been Dell or HP. A relative had an Acer and all they had was problems. I favor Dell over HP. Never had an Apple so I can’t say much about them. These days you have tablets, iPad, smartphones, smart tv’s and others I can’t think of now. I can speculate that someday the desktop or tower computers will be discontinued because of the declining sales for these items.

On my first computer back in 1994 there was a financial program called Quicken. I became accustomed to using it and still use it today. Naturally it has been updated and revised many times, but I still enjoy and rely on it. I have been through hard drive crashes, virus attacks, incompatible hardware, software and running out of memory. It has been a fun and enjoyable trip through the land of computers.

Daily writing prompt

Write about your first computer.

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Heights

I hate heights. Always have and probably will for the rest of my life. I don’t know why. It is just some phobia I have. I can climb a ladder and roam around on a single-story roof, but anything higher than that I begin to get nervous and the higher it goes the more nervous I get even to the state of panic. Oh, I can fly in a passenger jet or go in high skyscraper buildings. I have been to the top of the pre-9-11 World Trade Center and the Empire State Building and felt a little uncomfortable but no more. It is just that vision of being on the edge and viewing the ground way down there with no fence or railing to stop me. However, I could not even go up the Space Needle in Seattle. I stayed on the ground.

When I was young, I had dreams of falling off a high spot or being pushed. I always woke up before I ever hit the ground. Someone said to me when I was young that if I ever hit the ground in my dreams I would have died. I don’t know if that is a fact or not. I wonder if that is a reason. Maybe in a previous life I fell off or was pushed. I am afraid of heights even today. The only consolation I have is that many people have the same fear of heights I have.

I would never make a paratrooper. Who would want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

Bloganuary writing prompt

What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?

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Complaints, Complaints, Complaints

What is happening to this world? Across the world you see unrest with massive demonstrations, violence, armed conflicts with many deaths. Russia and Ukraine are in a war. Gaza and Israel conflict goes on. China is threatening Taiwan. Three US soldiers are killed in Jordan. Farmers in Scandinavia and Paris are having massive demonstrations.

On a local level. The actual number is not actually known, but millions of people have come across the border. This is putting a tremendous burden on the health system and social services. In large cities crime is rising. You see videos of smash and grabs where large swarms of people just go in and grab anything they want. Homeless camps are springing up everywhere. Fentanyl deaths in the past years are scary.

Inflation is alive and well. For example, I recently purchased a large package of toilet paper, and the cost was twenty-two dollars. Six months ago, the cost was eighteen dollars. That is an over twenty percent increase. My property taxes just increased nine-hundred dollars. These increases are pinching my fixed income.

In politics all you see and hear is anger and hate. There is no longer a civil discussion on the issues. All they do is attack their opponent. Truthfulness is dead. Anything is said to fit their agenda. There is no accountability for out and out lies. Many government entities have been weaponized, and they use their authority to push the agenda. Equal justice under the law is currently missing.

So, what is a mere mortal like you and me do? Complain, complain, and complain some more. Another very important thing to do is, learn more about the agenda these politicians are pushing on us. Finally, vote in November.

Bloganuary writing prompt

What do you complain about the most?

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The lottery and me.

First of all, to win the lottery, you have to play the lottery. I don’t play the lottery. I can’t remember the last time I threw away money to buy a lottery ticket. I have many friends and relatives that faithfully purchase lottery tickets every week. Has anyone won? Not that I know of. When the lottery first started, I played the scam. I think the most numbers I ever got was two. This convinced me that the chances are slim next to none.

Therefore, theoretically if I ever won millions I would disappear and change my life totally. First, I would acquire legal advice and a financial advisor. I have heard that these multimillionaires suddenly have relatives come out of the woodwork and friends that you haven’t heard or seen from for years. I want people to be around me for who I am, not what I have. Charities and good causes would get a portion of my good fortune. The largest concern I have will I be any happier or complete than what I am now.

My life has been full and rewarding. I am in my seasoned years and have had more good things and people than bad events. No, I am not rich. I am just a mere mortal that is living comfortable, happy, and that would be hard to replace. It would be a tough job for those millions to replace what I have now. Therefore, I do not intend to start playing the lottery anytime soon.

Bloganuary writing prompt

What would you do if you won the lottery?

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Decision

I have been retired over sixteen years and all my time is leisure time. After sixty years of working earning a living, raising and providing for a family I am entitled to leisure time. Since I retired every day is Saturday! I wake up and think what will today bring just like I did when working but just one day of the week then. Now it is every day.

With that I have enjoyed doing many different things at different times. Before I retired, I had passion for model trains and this passion went through its course. Since I have retired and moved into our new home the workshop, I have in my basement. I spent a lot of time. However, that interest has decreased lately. Of course, I am aging like everyone else, and this is affecting what I can do and not do.

Lately I have been spending a lot of time writing and reminiscing about things that happened to me. I have become active in WordPress again. I had this account since 2010 but became active in it since August of last year. I have dabbled in podcasts and videos. Maybe someday I can say they are pretty good.

In conclusion, it will be close to a year since I experienced a life-threatening blood clot. I was standing in front of Death’s door and Doctor Death was holding the door open. I surprised everyone and beat the odds. What I enjoy the most since that event is living! https://tomt2.com/2023/08/10/my-blood-clot/

Bloganuary writing prompt

What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time?

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Something I missed.

I was born and raised in Denver Colorado. Except for a couple of years in the army I have lived in Denver Metro area for over seventy-five years. During school years they would have field trips to this attraction. The attraction has close to 500,000 visitors a year. It was established in 1862. There are only five in the entire nation. For a period of time, I worked at a place that was only a block away. I don’t know how many times I have driven by it and thought, “I need to go there.” Have you figured it out? answer below

Bloganuary writing prompt

Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.

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The answer is: The Denver United States Mint

https://www.usmint.gov/about/mint-tours-facilities/denver

Life is Fun

I have been retired for seventeen years. Since 2006 I haven’t worked any job. Pensions, Social Security and savings have provided my wife and I with everything we need. Most of the things I do is for fun or enjoyment. Life has been good. There have been medical issues but all in all life has been good to us. Here are the first five things that I thought of to have fun.

the most interesting thing at the present time is writing. I enjoy writing and reminiscing about events in my life. That is the purpose of writing on Word Press. I do not expect to ever receive any kind of financial compensation for my writing time. I just enjoy it. I am glad I discovered the daily blog prompt. This is ideal for my random ramblings.
I enjoy eating out at restaurants. it gives us a reason to get out of the house for a while and interact with people. Humans are social creatures and social contact is necessary for healthy living. I had a job where I would have contact with people that spent a lot of time alone. You could tell they were lacking social contact in their life, and they were craving for this necessity. They would try to keep me there as long as possible just to have contact with another human being.
Puzzle books are fun for me. I enjoy crossword puzzles and sudoku. I am not a big fan of word search. However, my wife enjoys word search puzzles though. One must keep their mind active and working.
I have a workshop in my basement. I enjoy repairing items around the house and building small items. For a while I was into bird houses. I found out though that there is just not much demand for bird houses, and I was floating in bird houses.
I like to grow stuff. All my life I have had a garden where I lived except the short time I lived in an apartment. Flowers, vines. and vegetables are on my list of plants. We sure enjoy fresh tomatoes during the summertime. Unfortunately, our home has growing space, but it is too shady, and I haven’t had much success here.

These are the first five things that came to mind. I have many more things I do for fun.

Bloganuary writing prompt

List five things you do for fun.

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I don’t Have a Pet

It has been many years since we had a pet. But we do have many fond memories of Missy. She was a peekapoo and we got her when she was just a puppy. Never weighed over five pounds. The only time she got mad at us was when we took her to get spayed. If looks could kill, we would be dead. But she forgave us and was a loving, friendly, and loyal companion for over thirteen years.

when Missy was a puppy, she jumped off the couch once and broke he front leg. Taking her to the vet and watching her walk around with her little cast created a bond and love that cannot be explained. When we had pork chops, Missy got the bone. She knew and just sat there waiting for her bone. What a fond memory. After many years of love and enjoyment she began to show her age. One morning I let her outside to do her business. I always went out to keep an eye on her since we had an open yard. She finished and was walking around just sniffing stuff and she looked up at me and fell over dead.

Missy will always be remembered. Throughout my life I had many pets, Ginger, Jughead, Boots, and many more. Missy was the best!

Bloganuary writing prompt

If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?

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I was named after?

Many babies are named after the father, relative or a friend. The trend these days appears to be named with names one is not accustomed too. Such as Ace, April, Fable, Huxely, and many others.

I was born four months after Pearl Harbor, in the middle of World War II. I asked my parents who I was named after since my older brother was named after my dad. Here is the tale they told me. They said that they couldn’t think of a good name. At that time the local newspaper listed the young men recently drafted into the military to fight in the war. They said that they went to this list and found a name of Thomas Lee and that is how I was named. If this is true or not, I will never know. Just like you will never know if I just made this up or not.

https://tomt2.com/about-2tts/

Bloganuary writing prompt

Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.

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No Dream Job for Me

I am beyond a dream job. I have been retired for over seventeen years. Now I dream of staying healthy and hoping my financial situation out lasts me.

A long time ago I had a dream job in mind. When I entered junior high school, now they call middle school, I was put in what they called an accelerated class. This was composed of kids that was in the top ranking of the proficiency tests they gave us. At that time, I loved science class, especially chemistry. My friend and I stayed after school and helped the science teacher around the lab and classroom. My dream job then was chemistry or engineering. Towards the end of ninth grade, they gave us a standardized test that was supposed to inform us what kind of career to pursue. The results came back, and chemistry or engineering was not on my list of careers. This shattered me, my dream was destroyed! I continued to high school, and I barely graduated from high school.

For the next forty-five years I had a job. Some jobs were good high paying jobs and others were just to survive jobs. 1987 to 1991 were the most difficult financial times. I was laid off from my high paying job and unemployment was at seven and a half percent. It took over four years to find a good job. None of the jobs were my dream job. However, I am retired and satisfied with my current situation.

I do have a new dream though, that is to have many subscribers and followers that read and enjoy my ramblings. https://tomt2.com/about-2tts/

Bloganuary writing prompt

What’s your dream job?

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A Good Leader

Many follow, a small percentage can lead. A leader must have and show confidence in themselves and their decisions. Good leaders consult their associates for their input and suggestions before making a decision if available. One must delegate to associates. Do not attempt to do everything. Analyze your successes and failures to make more successes and fewer mistakes. Finally, share your success, do not hog it all.

Bloganuary writing prompt

What makes a good leader?

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