Spring has sprung, enjoy it.

 Finally, Spring has started here in the desert and most of the country. It is truly a welcome sight, since we all have been shut in for the LONG last year. People just want to get out, travel, go see loved ones and just be our old selves again. Believe me, I DO TOO!

I am SO sick of watching stupid commercials that insult my intelligence, and injury attorneys, and, medical care insurance companies, and repeats. HULU and NETFLIX stocks skyrocketed during the pandemic. Computer (mainly laptops) sales were crazy due to students attending school classes online. The construction trades are still overwhelmed with work because of homebound homeowners wanting to remodel or fix things. Garages are swarmed with car owners requesting repairs, (plus the rash of catalytic converters being cut off and stolen). Everyone wants SO BAD to get back to normal, or as close to it as possible. I DO TOO!

The reason I started my blog was because of requests to see our travel pictures from family and friends. Then the pandemic struck and our travels was shut down like everyone else. But now, after vaccinations completed for Nancy and I, and spring brings a breath of renewal and open doors and hope for getting back to our ways again, we are going to start slow until we are at a full run. Well, at least a fast walk. There are still plenty of places and things we have not seen. International travel may come a little later due to restrictions in those countries, but dusting the spider webs off the RV and getting on the road soon will start by the time our desert temps hit triple digits. So stay tuned.

Since the pandemic started, every Sunday morning, I sit at my computer to bang out another edition of my blog. But in high school, I was required to read the classics in english classes. It was so-o-o boring to me. I guess I just didn't get it. Now I find myself revisiting them. In the back of my small brain, I think I always liked reading and writing. Even tho I was never very good at either. Later in life I found out I had a mild form of Dyslexia. But I don't think that was a excuse for disrupting my classes at times. I do enjoy writing because I have so much useless stuff in my head and need a way to get rid of it. Sorry for unloading it on you folks. Writers write because they have a story to tell, whether it is fictional or true life. Of course there are writers who tell the news of happening things and events. But ALL writers just want to tell something to others in their own fashion. Similar to painters, they have their own style and want to project an image, a message, a form or an idea. But I am getting off topic. Sorry, I was drifting off there for a while.

Spring is (to me) the most beautiful season here in the Southwest. Dried up landscapes become green and flowers pop out on plants you usually don't want to get close to, like cactus. Baby bunnies, birds and other wildlife are sticking their heads out in the warm sunlight, bouncing and fluttering around with joy.

It's time for us to get out there. Whether it's just a stroll in a park, taking a hike, out for a run or bike ride, or taking a RV trip. Take it slow, safe cautious, wear your mask, but... GET OUT THERE. Enjoy Spring like we use to.

Did you ever noticed?

 Nancy has told me for years, "You notice things most people don't care about (or never mention)".  And I will admit, she's right. In my life, I have always considered myself as an observer of people and things around me more than most people. I find it interesting how people react to different situations, and why things happened like they did. For instance, why are we (as the American people) are tearing down statues and monuments of Confederate soldiers and individuals who were considered the people and heroes we once thought they were. My thought is, WHY NOW? And why did they become heroes back then. Different mentality at the time? Did we finally wake up? Hitler and Stalin were a given, but  General Robert E. Lee? Yes, I agree, slavery, 'Jim Crow', and any prejudice was and is wrong, but George Washington  and Thomas Jefferson had slaves too. You don't see their statuses being torn down. The people that put those monuments up should have thought about the consequences down the road to future generations. And just maybe we should think harder and do more homework before we do the same.

We all love things that make us feel good. Whether it be getting out of the house during this pandemic, hugs, sex, getting a big check or relieving physical pain. Oh yeah, getting a big check in the mail makes everyone smile. Especially when it means you don't have to go to work. There are some who would much rather take the unemployment check and stay home instead of working. Some have no choice because their employer was forced to shutdown or went out of business. The real slackers need to get off the couch and get back to work. The rest of us are doing your job.

As for the physical pain relief, let's discuss 'Oxycodone'. A very powerful drug introduced as an alternative to Morphine, and now is the cause of another pandemic of overdoses and deaths. The Sackler family are the owners of the company who produced Oxy (as it's commonly called). They too are having their name stripped from institutions because people believe they are to blame. Other companies have had the same consequences like Colt, Remington and other firearms manufacturers. Just because a stick on the ground is used to beat a helpless dog, do we sue the tree for dropping it? The users are the ones to blame. Stiff stipulations and regulations while policing those should be imposed instead.

As much as I know our economy and our people needed a giant boost because of the pandemic, I hope the government really thought through the stimulus check process, PPP program, free Covid vaccines for everyone and everything thing else the governments have done to get us back to normal again. I know it's a lot to wrap your mind around, but we the people WILL pay for this eventually. I know I am because it helped millions of people. But it also stuffed money into the pockets of crooks who took advantage of the time.

I have two more thoughts before I close. I believe everything we pay for should have a warranty. If something goes wrong or breaks, you get a free repair or your money back. That warranty should be without hassle or repercussions. Whether it be a TV, car, surgery or government decisions and actions. I know, it'll never happen but it sure be great.

And lastly, as I get older, I noticed when older people speak, people actually listen. Maybe not like AARP but in a conversation between a group. Hopefully you will listen to my ramblings and comment. Good or bad. Let's have that discussion. Take care and stay safe.

My views today

 First, I want to wish EVERYONE a Happy and Blessed Easter Sunday. Even my Muslim friends, my Jewish friends, my LBGT friends, my non-believing friends, to ALL my friends and family, no matter what color or belief...Happy Easter. 

Having said that, I would like everyone to 'Agree to Disagree'. Don't read this with a confused look on your face. You know we all have our opinions and believes, whether it be about religion, or politics, or whatever it may be, we all have our own views. When people get really angry because someone disagrees with their view, that is called CONFLICT, and wars have started over different views. The Middle East has suffered wars for centuries over differences in views about religion. That is crazy! Religion is the ONE THING everyone should respect about other peoples views. You don't have to believe in their view, but you should respect their view and DON'T disrespect it because they don't see things like you. The same can be said about politics, cars, the way people dress, sports teams or anything else. Debate it, YES. Argue NO! AGREE TO DISAGREE.

On this very high holy day in the Christian community, I ask you ALL to come to together and united to stop this pandemic by wearing masks, get vaccinated and keep practicing social distancing until this thing is dead. Listen to the medical experts and do what they tell us, not some theory person who says drink bleach or 'They are killing our rights by demanding us to wear masks'. Does 500,000 dead from Covid in the United States ring a bell? It is real people, not fake news.

When I started this blog years ago, it was intended to share photos of our trips around the world because a number of people wanted to see them. Then Covid hit and our travels ended. I never intended the blog to become a 'soapbox'. But if I reach one person and their eyes open to things around us all, it's been successful. Plus, it has helped my typing skills. 😊

So, debate your views all you want, but keep it calm and factual. Do your homework, find out the true facts, but above all ... respect the other person's opinions, just agree to disagree and part ways without conflict. If we all can do that, it would make this Easter an even great day than it is.

I love you all, whether or not you agree with me. And Jesus does too.