January 7th 2014?

Just one quick question here:

What's happening on January seventh two thousand fourteen?

Feeding the poor

What does it mean to feed the poor? Give them food, right? with the abundance of food in this country and so many others throughout the world, there should be enough food to feed everyone and still have a surplus. Transporting the food is sometimes a problem and that issue should be remedied as soon as possible. On the other hand, when it comes to the poor, are they being removed (at least in this country, the United States) from the natural course of events in life? So many times we hear of someone who worked themselves up from being poor to being a complete success financially. A musician from a few decades ago, Liberace, was born and raised poor. His mother worked at minimum wage and often less than that and received a very small amount of help from the government to get by. Liberace, even in those conditions managed to learn to play the piano and became a huge success and made a ton of money. when he became well off financially he repaid the government for any assistance his mother received, plus interest. He was grateful it was there when they needed it but he didn't want to be responsible for someone else not getting assistance when he reaped the benefit of it. That was true integrity in my opinion. Who else have you heard of that grew up on assistance and repaid it when they became reasonably well off?

The natural course of life for the poor is that they are challenged to improve their lot in life by trying harder despite the hardships. When I was a kid, we were poor. We were told by our parents that if we wanted something more, we should work hard to get it. "Work first, play second!" We could have anything we wanted if we wanted to pay the price for it. We wore second hand clothes, and had fun shopping for them at the second hand store. There was no shame in being poor, wearing second hand clothes or playing with second hand toys we were told, only in not striving to do better. getting better things took work and effort, it was our incentive to be poor. I'm not poor now, I didn't raise my family poor either. There are still things I'd like to have but can't afford. That's life to me.

I wonder if some of the people I see that are living on assistance understand how it works. Niki shoes, Approved sports team sweat shirts, Guchi hand bags, jewelry, tattoos and piercings all over their bodies, 3 bedroom town houses paid for by the government, government provided education and child care and still no job in sight or the desire to get one.

I believe in proper aid to the poor. I wonder if we haven't created a culture of being poor with everything they ever wanted without working for it. It's a quandary worth investigating. It's my understanding that about 48% of the American citizenship is on some type of assistance. Almost half of us. How long can that go on? Is there a limit to what is considered proper giving? Or, in the case of the government, dividing and spreading the wealth. Yup! I think we should study what we are doing there.

Mistakes with steak and other food

When was the last time you began eating something and suddenly realized it wasn't what you thought it was? This morning I read a cartoon with a guy that was baiting his fishing hook with a piece of his wife's pasta and it dawned on him why his lunch hadn't tasted all that good.

Being a fisherman I was taught by my dad that nothing should go to waste. Consequently, I learned how to cook fish, all sorts of fish and frog legs too. There are a few types of fish that are just way too ugly to eat though, Gar Pike, Guppies and anything with gills, legs and tails all together. If I can't throw them back, they get buried in the garden. Nothing is wasted. Anyway, I went fishing in a river for an entire afternoon, a rare occasion for me, and I caught three dozen Red horse Mullets. A fantastic breed of fish with a fin across their back much like a sail on an ocean fish. Red Horse are about the best fighting fish I've ever caught. When the are hooked, they put that sail up and swim sideways against the current so hard that the only way to catch them is to simply keep the line tight and wait until they tire enough to bring them in. It takes a while, they don't tire easily. Needless to say, I enjoyed the experience. What's that got to do with eating anything?

Packing up all those fish in the cooler I brought them home and scaled, deboned, filleted and powdered  them for cooking. Some people are adverse to eating a mullet type of fish. They are similar to Suckers and cat fish regarding their bottom feeding habits. It's fine with me as long as it's a clean river but not everyone feels that way. (Of course those same people are usually more than fond of eating Shrimp, Shrimp are also bottom feeders.) So, on this beautiful Saturday afternoon, feeling super good following a successful fishing adventure, I called a couple friends over for a fish fry, a little guy talk and a brew or two. When they arrived I already had the last batch of fillets in the pan and the tantalizing aroma wafted over the patio bringing appetites to almost a feeding frenzy. Along with cole slaw and baked potato the fried fish meal was complete and worthy of royalty. One of my friends is a one of those people that seems to know everything about everything. Nice enough but always grabs center stage in the knowledge category. The subject of what kind of fish we were eating did not present itself until I was asked where the fish came from. I named the river and before I could tell my stories of fantastic fishing the know-it-all guy butts in and explains how he just knew we were eating Walleye. "That river is known state wide for it's huge Walleye fishery" He said. Then he went on to say how he "had heard that some guys fish that river for suckers and Red Horse. However, he would never, ever allow those bottom feeders to touch his lips. They were garbage fish but these walleye were something special and he could recognized the taste blindfolded."

I had a choice to make: Tell him they were Red Horse and he'd just eaten half a dozen "bottom feeders", or Let it go and enjoy the rest of the time with my friends without embarrassing him. It was a great meal, pleasant conversation and nice weather to boot. I guess the know-it-all will go to his grave not knowing he ate a plateful of Red Horse. Maybe I'll let him know the next time I catch a cooler full. It just wasn't important to do anything but be selfish and be full. I didn't serve him right, I served him fish.

Justice in America and our president

Our President, eyes downcast and forlorn, played upon the emotions of his audience for some unknown reason and said, "It could have been me." Speaking, of course about the shooting and death of Trayvon Martin. A terrible thing. Mr. Zimmerman, the man who shot Trayvon was, in a court of law, found not guilty of the charges brought against him by the prosecutor. Mr. Obama, evidently does not feel justice was served in our legal process and appears to be, for some reason stirring up unrest and civil protests, seemingly pitting one race against another. Protests are a way of life in this country. However, I have not seen in my lifetime a president that caused them. It brings to mind some statement from Mr. Obama's run for the presidential election. He said he was ashamed of this country. I figured at the time it was some sort of populist retoric. I guess it wasn't.

What's your passion?

Just what is it that you are passionate about? I don't need an answer from you but it may not be a bad idea at all to ask yourself what it is that you are passionate about. Yesterday the question came up and, quite frankly I had to think about it for a long, long time. The thought hadn't occurred to me in the recent past, maybe in the far past either. it's not a question that comes up often over dinner or while conducting business. A true artist is passionate about their art. A true musician is passionate about their music, A true athlete is passionate about their sport, and so on it goes. At least that's what we believe about high profile pursuits. How often do we hear about us common folk and our passion? Has anyone asked you about yours lately? Does anyone actually care about the person behind the counter at the fast food joint? What kind of answer would you receive if you asked? I'm thinking it would often come as a surprise. Who would think that someone working for minimum  wage, barely eking out a living would even remotely be passionate about anything? So, what's your passion?

I am passionate about a few things I guess. I detail cars for a living, I am passionate about getting them done right. I've been passionate about detailing since I was ten years old. But detailing is not my whole life is it? I am passionate about doing the right thing regarding my family to the best of my ability. I'm passionate about my faith beliefs. I can think about a few other things too but then I step back and realize that an actual passion consumes your resources physically and spiritually and mentally doesn't it? That leaves not much room for another passion does it? I need to rethink my ideas of passion I guess. For now, the one thing that I can think of that consumes my ideal of passion is this: I feel that everyone should receive their just rewards for what they do or do not do. I have never wavered from that belief and I am passionate about it. Still, is that my passion in life? A good question to ponder.

Staying cool in hot weather

According to the local weather report her in central Michigan we are beginning a heat wave. Three days or longer of over 90* temperatures and high humidity. Everything is relative isn't it? Meteorologists are warning everyone, particularly those of age to keep themselves cool in any way they can and drink lots of fluids. Unfortunately, they say to stay away from alcoholic beverages so there goes the fun part for many. But as far as the relative part, in the southern states the heat and humidity, although surely just as uncomfortable is simply a way of life in the Summertime. They manage to survive it and keep going. We can too, it's not so much the end of the world as we know it is it? I've survived hot and cool summers and lived to see the fall color explosion of a Michigan Fall.

My problem has always been that I don't much care for water. Water is great for us. I still don't care for it. I drank tea, soda, power drinks, cold and hot coffee, but if it was a surprising day if even one glass of water crossed my lips. Now I'm back to water. Gag or not, I've managed for the past month to choke down at least two quarts of water a day. I guess it's keeping me cool and hydrated like they advise. But the main ways I manage to stay cool in the hot weather are #1-simply not hiding from the heat. I just slow down a bit until I get used to it. #2- find shade when I can. #3- keep a deep pan of water somewhere so I can sit and soak  my feet for a while. (not the same water I drink though) #4- shower just before bed and I stay cool enough to get several hours sleep. I can deal with the heat much better when I am well rested. Are these good ideas? Are they enough to keep me from getting heat related health issues? Answer- So far, so good!

Stay cool............Joe

Zimmerman-Martin Case

The shooting of Trevon Martin by George Zimmerman was terrible and, most likely very avoidable. The Jury has reached a verdict in the State's charges and that particular trial is over. Regardless of how one feels about it either way, it's over and will not, accordingly to the laws of this land, be repeated. Federal charges or civil suits may be forthcoming but that is another part of our laws that will be dealt with by those involved. Now for what I'm seeing in all this totally apart from the legal proceedings. The news media and politicians acting in ways that should embarrass anyone with a grain of sense.

The news media, which is so very important to us as a means of getting pertinent information and aided by the right to free speech keeps us informed as well or better than any other country. However, in this instance I feel bombarded by opinion rather than information. And, in my opinion it is aimed at aggravating the situation by insulting everyone involved. "We are surprised that the demonstrations have been so calm!" One news reporter said.  "I find it difficult to believe there has been no bloodshed up to this point!" Said another. Huh? Sounds more like they are disappointed than surprised. We're dealing with intelligent people here. Trevon Martin's parents have been, in spite of their immense grief, calm, forthcoming and attentive to the proceedings without expressing any desire to seek revenge or threatening as much. One would believe from their actions that they will act in a lawful and civil manner. In spite of how painful this must feel. Why would the news media find others following the example of such courageous parents surprising?

Then come the politicians: "I hope that the fighting, rioting and injury is kept at a minimum!" That was one of our highest ranking elected officials and many, many others followed suit. While I'm at it, a couple religious figures were saying things along those same lines. Makes me wonder.