AprilT
Well-known Member
- Location
- A galaxy far far away
I'd read this in book form. 
As usual a very good read.
As usual a very good read.
Son of Perdition - tales from the darkside
- Thread starter Son_of_Perdition
- Start date
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
As I recall it was between 90-100lbs. We had the lard rendered. We had 3 or 4 5lb containers of that. Made the best pie crust.
Meanderer
Supreme Member
"That's Salada Tea!" Made me think of the names we may still use, like "lard-ass" or "tub of lard", when referring to someone who is fat. Don't know if kids today still use those names. I found a recipe for "Rose's Lard Caramel", in an article named "Who You Calling A Lard Ass?".
Good Lard!...maybe you could give it a try!http://thedish22.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/who-you-calling-lard-ass-roses-lard-caramel/
Meanderer
Supreme Member
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
Gambling Stories - Remembering 2 and no more
My Mentor and Scam Artist http://aggressivecraps.blogspot.com/
View attachment 11158
On one of my solo trips to Vegas I had just finished a grueling 3 hour session at the craps table. I had won can't exactly remember how much but it was a worthwhile stay. I was at the Orleans off strip. I was leaning on the vacant adjacent craps table drinking a cup of 'free' coffee, watching the action at the table I had just vacated. An elderly chap, Richie Ambrose, walked up and leaned alongside me. We watched for a few throws and he turned to me, said, 'Watch em they have no clue how to play, do you play?' 'Yes' I said cautiously. He then asked what was my play like. I told him, not giving any details but a general synopsis. 'Humpf, you are playing wrong, let me tell you I have dealt craps for 33 years and know how to play.'
He proceeded to tell me some things about himself and how he was the expert on casino craps, in fact he said that he has a web site with instructional videos. He had dealt craps to the wiseguys in Jersey many years ago. He was a professional pool player who had been on a tournament circuit back in the early 60's and was playing in Vegas when he decided to stay. He got a casino job and because of his experience he soon migrated to dealing craps. He continued to deal for the next 33 years and had retired.
He was a crafty scammer who soon had me fronting the money and making the plays to follow his system. I had bought in with $200 and we played his system for about an hour at which time I said I'd had enough and he had proved his method to me. We were ahead by a few hundred and cashed in and walked away to the sports betting area. They allow you to sit there without playing. We got us a cup of coffee and he presented his card that had the basic play, which I completely followed because of my experience. He handed me the card and said he normally sells his system for $95 but if I give him $50 it would be enough. Sure why not he had made me a couple bucks.
After he left I realized I had been conned! Here we were playing on my money and him standing behind me giving instructions that while it made money, I realized that I would have made probably the equal amount or more playing my way. He walked out of there with my $50, a smile on his face and another sucker was born. Small potatoes but at $50 an hour he was supplementing his social security and didn't have to report it. I found his web site and read through it, it was a repeat of his con he used on me. It was laughable and I sat there wondering how many other 'suckers' had fell for his plan.
Oasis our 5 hour layover
View attachment 11159
My co-workers and I had concocted a trip to Wendover after our last swing shift one Friday, my wife was aware of it and while didn't condone gambling she allowed me my dream. We left after work and one group left via the southern route and the two of us who lived further north took the northern route through NW Utah, traveling north of the Great Salt Lake. You hooked backup up with I-80 at a little spot in the road called Oasis, it's then a 35 miles leg to Wendover. My driver also my second cousin had decided since he didn't want to put too many miles on his leased pickup had disconnected the speedometer cable. It hooked into the transmission, it also allowed the tranny fluid to leak out as you traveled.
Just outside Montello, NV another whistle stop along the two lane road his pickup tranny started slipping to the point that it was undrivable. We limped into town and stopped at the only thing open, a rundown little bar that served burgers and beer, and 3 slot machines. We went in, asked to use the phone and called 3 of the casinos in Wendover hoping that our southern friends had arrived. No luck, no one answered the pages. We got a beer and started telling our tale, one customer was a trucker and said he was going to Vegas on a run and was taking alternate route up to Wells, then south along 93 (the road used in 'The World's Fastest Indian' with Anthony Hopkins, great movie) to Vegas. We could catch a ride with him to Wells then make connection with our friends. Sure, why not?
We made it to Wells, called again, no luck. Our ride left and we decided it would be a good idea to wile away the time playing 21. At some point during the night I got down to my last $10 and quit I went over to my cousin's table and he was ahead $200-300, great we had money to fix the pickup and get home. He said to play alongside him for awhile and loaned me $20. Within 30 minutes he leaned over to me and said, 'I'm broke, it's up to you.' I looked at the table and my last $5 was in the ring. I grabbed it and said, 'We're darn near broke.' I had the $10 of my money and the $5 of his and that's it.
We were now desparate, no money to call, no money to fix his truck, no money to by gas and it we were 200 miles from home. I said our only option is to hitch a ride back to Montello, hook up his cable, buy a quart of tranny fluid and hope we have enough gas to make it home. We didn't have money for food and hadn't eaten in over 14 hours. Fun times were ahead.
We walked to the on ramp of I-80 and managed to hitch a ride with a Catholic Deacon who was on his way to Wendover. We couldn't go with him all the way because our friends were on they way home. He had his golden lab 'Riley' riding with him. It was the days of the leisure suit and I was wearing one, dark blue. Riley was a friendly dog and I took the seat in the back with him. He also was shedding, blond hairs all over me and the rest of the car. When we arrived back at Oasis I discovered I was covered with blond hairs, my wife will be so understanding.
We spent the next 5 hours throwing rocks at bottles and trying to hitch a ride, we did buy 2 Squirts and a package of jerky. No one would stop they would speed up to get by us. It was years later I learned that there was Nevada State Prison between Oasis and Wells with signs warning motorists not pick up any hitchhikers. It also seemed that my leisure sure resembled the current prison garb. We finally got a ride and only because my cousin recognized the pickup exiting I-80 and knew the driver. The cab had only enough room for the driver, his wife and one passenger. So both of us choose to ride in the back, we hadn't showered and had been playing in the sagebrush. The ride to Oasis was an experience, it was raining and the driver was going at least 70. The rain drops felt bee stings on the back of our ears and neck.
We did make it to Montello, at the now open one pump garage the driver helped hook up the cable and he loaned us enough to get 3 quarts of tranny fluid, the $12 we had left bought gas.
My Mentor and Scam Artist http://aggressivecraps.blogspot.com/
View attachment 11158
On one of my solo trips to Vegas I had just finished a grueling 3 hour session at the craps table. I had won can't exactly remember how much but it was a worthwhile stay. I was at the Orleans off strip. I was leaning on the vacant adjacent craps table drinking a cup of 'free' coffee, watching the action at the table I had just vacated. An elderly chap, Richie Ambrose, walked up and leaned alongside me. We watched for a few throws and he turned to me, said, 'Watch em they have no clue how to play, do you play?' 'Yes' I said cautiously. He then asked what was my play like. I told him, not giving any details but a general synopsis. 'Humpf, you are playing wrong, let me tell you I have dealt craps for 33 years and know how to play.'
He proceeded to tell me some things about himself and how he was the expert on casino craps, in fact he said that he has a web site with instructional videos. He had dealt craps to the wiseguys in Jersey many years ago. He was a professional pool player who had been on a tournament circuit back in the early 60's and was playing in Vegas when he decided to stay. He got a casino job and because of his experience he soon migrated to dealing craps. He continued to deal for the next 33 years and had retired.
He was a crafty scammer who soon had me fronting the money and making the plays to follow his system. I had bought in with $200 and we played his system for about an hour at which time I said I'd had enough and he had proved his method to me. We were ahead by a few hundred and cashed in and walked away to the sports betting area. They allow you to sit there without playing. We got us a cup of coffee and he presented his card that had the basic play, which I completely followed because of my experience. He handed me the card and said he normally sells his system for $95 but if I give him $50 it would be enough. Sure why not he had made me a couple bucks.
After he left I realized I had been conned! Here we were playing on my money and him standing behind me giving instructions that while it made money, I realized that I would have made probably the equal amount or more playing my way. He walked out of there with my $50, a smile on his face and another sucker was born. Small potatoes but at $50 an hour he was supplementing his social security and didn't have to report it. I found his web site and read through it, it was a repeat of his con he used on me. It was laughable and I sat there wondering how many other 'suckers' had fell for his plan.
Oasis our 5 hour layover
View attachment 11159
My co-workers and I had concocted a trip to Wendover after our last swing shift one Friday, my wife was aware of it and while didn't condone gambling she allowed me my dream. We left after work and one group left via the southern route and the two of us who lived further north took the northern route through NW Utah, traveling north of the Great Salt Lake. You hooked backup up with I-80 at a little spot in the road called Oasis, it's then a 35 miles leg to Wendover. My driver also my second cousin had decided since he didn't want to put too many miles on his leased pickup had disconnected the speedometer cable. It hooked into the transmission, it also allowed the tranny fluid to leak out as you traveled.
Just outside Montello, NV another whistle stop along the two lane road his pickup tranny started slipping to the point that it was undrivable. We limped into town and stopped at the only thing open, a rundown little bar that served burgers and beer, and 3 slot machines. We went in, asked to use the phone and called 3 of the casinos in Wendover hoping that our southern friends had arrived. No luck, no one answered the pages. We got a beer and started telling our tale, one customer was a trucker and said he was going to Vegas on a run and was taking alternate route up to Wells, then south along 93 (the road used in 'The World's Fastest Indian' with Anthony Hopkins, great movie) to Vegas. We could catch a ride with him to Wells then make connection with our friends. Sure, why not?
We made it to Wells, called again, no luck. Our ride left and we decided it would be a good idea to wile away the time playing 21. At some point during the night I got down to my last $10 and quit I went over to my cousin's table and he was ahead $200-300, great we had money to fix the pickup and get home. He said to play alongside him for awhile and loaned me $20. Within 30 minutes he leaned over to me and said, 'I'm broke, it's up to you.' I looked at the table and my last $5 was in the ring. I grabbed it and said, 'We're darn near broke.' I had the $10 of my money and the $5 of his and that's it.
We were now desparate, no money to call, no money to fix his truck, no money to by gas and it we were 200 miles from home. I said our only option is to hitch a ride back to Montello, hook up his cable, buy a quart of tranny fluid and hope we have enough gas to make it home. We didn't have money for food and hadn't eaten in over 14 hours. Fun times were ahead.
We walked to the on ramp of I-80 and managed to hitch a ride with a Catholic Deacon who was on his way to Wendover. We couldn't go with him all the way because our friends were on they way home. He had his golden lab 'Riley' riding with him. It was the days of the leisure suit and I was wearing one, dark blue. Riley was a friendly dog and I took the seat in the back with him. He also was shedding, blond hairs all over me and the rest of the car. When we arrived back at Oasis I discovered I was covered with blond hairs, my wife will be so understanding.
We spent the next 5 hours throwing rocks at bottles and trying to hitch a ride, we did buy 2 Squirts and a package of jerky. No one would stop they would speed up to get by us. It was years later I learned that there was Nevada State Prison between Oasis and Wells with signs warning motorists not pick up any hitchhikers. It also seemed that my leisure sure resembled the current prison garb. We finally got a ride and only because my cousin recognized the pickup exiting I-80 and knew the driver. The cab had only enough room for the driver, his wife and one passenger. So both of us choose to ride in the back, we hadn't showered and had been playing in the sagebrush. The ride to Oasis was an experience, it was raining and the driver was going at least 70. The rain drops felt bee stings on the back of our ears and neck.
We did make it to Montello, at the now open one pump garage the driver helped hook up the cable and he loaned us enough to get 3 quarts of tranny fluid, the $12 we had left bought gas.
Meanderer
Supreme Member
It seems that Richie gave you the live version of his video, for $50...a bargain for sure! ...or think of it as a $50 cup of coffee.
The Oasis didn't look too inviting, and I have heard of a hairshirt...but not a leisure hairsuit. The life of Riley for sure! If only you and your Brother-in-law had been chained together....it might have made a great movie: "Two Squirts and a Pack of Jerky"!
Two great tales Son, Thanks for the ride!
The Oasis didn't look too inviting, and I have heard of a hairshirt...but not a leisure hairsuit. The life of Riley for sure! If only you and your Brother-in-law had been chained together....it might have made a great movie: "Two Squirts and a Pack of Jerky"!
Two great tales Son, Thanks for the ride!
Meanderer
Supreme Member
Son, I enjoyed reading your rabbit story. When we were young,in the 50s, my Uncle would go hunting rabbits and we always had some to eat. Mother would say it was chicken, and we liked the white meat. We never were never too curious about where the rabbit feet & rabbit tails came from.
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
Thanks for reading my blog. We had an abundance of wild rabbits to hunt but the problems you can encounter from the wild ones more so than the domestic is a disease called tularemia, I tried never touching a wild one jack or cottontail. It can be fatal to humans if infected and not treated. Domestic rabbits can get it but not as common, also beavers, otters and other aquatic animals get the disease more than rabbits.Son, I enjoyed reading your rabbit story. When we were young,in the 50s, my Uncle would go hunting rabbits and we always had some to eat. Mother would say it was chicken, and we liked the white meat. We never were never too curious about where the rabbit feet & rabbit tails came from.
I inspected mine before butchering wearing sterile gloves for any noticeable problems. But, you can get Salmonella and other diseases from chickens & turkeys being they are more apt to have an infectious disease. Washing and thoroughly cooking your meat helps control the diseases along with proper refrigeration.
Meanderer
Supreme Member
Good morning Son, I've been wondering what kept you out of North Dakota? Is it possible for you to write about ND without having ever been there? Could you do a dream sequence/virtual visit? I have been to four States that I know of, and can't imagine traveling like you have done. Just sayin!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Dakota
, and can't imagine traveling like you have done. Just sayin!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Dakota
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
Farm Animals - Final Yea! – Herbie & Abigal
After figuring out what I needed and what works for hogs my next challenge was raising sheep. A co-worker and gentleman farmer like myself offered me a ewe. She had got mastitis in one side of her milk glands. It made her questionable to continue breeding her. She was pregnant and he didn't want to continue feeding her. It cost me nothing more than her clipped wool the following spring. I brought her home and named her Abigal.
A few weeks later I noticed her pawing the dirt in the corral and she laid down and dropped her lamb. Cute little cuss, so keeping up the naming concept I gave him the moniker of Herbie. Abigal was my weed control and I had to chain her at strategic locations to better utilize her skills. Herbie was attached to her and never left her side. I docked his tail (needed to keep burrs from attaching themselves) and docked his other area. Herbie was Abigal's constant companion.
During early spring I was working graveyard (11-7) at night, we had a dress code then and I was dressed in slacks, button down shirt and dress shoes. I came home and noticed that Abigal had somehow got her head stuck in the section of field fence that she was chained to. I felt sorry and knew I had to free her. It had been raining and was continuing to drizzle. I didn't want to go in and change, figuring it was a minor inconvenience. Going over and pushing, pulling and twisting her head around I even got behind her and tried to pull her chain. I was slipping in the mud and getting more frustrated. I finally could see the only way to dislodge her was to strattle her neck and push on her front legs. She popped out and charged to one side catching my leg with her chain. Down I went and luck would have it I twisted and injured my back.
I crawled to my feet hobbled into the house and went straight to where I stored my 3006, grabbing a shell I headed back outside telling my wife that Abigal was history. I fully intended to get out of the sheep business as soon as I could. I can imagine the scene me bent over walking like Quasimodo, my wife walking behind me crying to me, 'Please remember Herbie, I refuse to raise him!'. That was the right thing to say, I relented unloaded my rifle and walked every so slowly, my wife helping me back into the house.
Later on after I knew that shepherding was not in my future I gave Abigal & Herbie to a family of field workers who were elated to have them. I had eaten lamb chops prior to those days and never really cared for it, Herbie was safe from me and mine.
Heidi & my goat whispering days
My last mention of farm animals has to include Heidi, the goat. I'm not even sure where we acquired her but she was there for 2 summers. She was the only animal I could call a pet other than my usual array of domestic cats and dogs. She was just there. She foraged for her food eating her fill from the grain bin and drinking from the calf watering trough. I never had to worry about her.
My eldest daughter was about 8 and was her friend. They played 'King of the Hill', Heidi on the picnic table gently butting heads with Jen. They would go everywhere together. Walking to the barn, Jen riding her bike and Heidi running along side. Jen still talks about her.
Anything was fair game and cried out to be jumped on. Our cars my truck, I had to shoo her out of the truck bed if I wanted to go to town. Goat tracks on the hoods and top of my wife's car. And of course the little round droppings found everywhere. But we all loved her.
Heidi helped keep the lawn, bushes and the wife's flowers in check. She made it her goal to shred all my junk mail and any cardboard or paper to something resembling confetti. She became my first paper shredder. Cleanup after her was fun if the wind didn't do it first. I finally gave her to a family whom raised goats, and I'm sure she enjoyed a fruitful existence with many of her new friends.
After those I quit naming the livestock, 2 reasons – 1 there were becoming too many and 2 it was less traumatic knowing we or someone would be eating them within a very short time.
After figuring out what I needed and what works for hogs my next challenge was raising sheep. A co-worker and gentleman farmer like myself offered me a ewe. She had got mastitis in one side of her milk glands. It made her questionable to continue breeding her. She was pregnant and he didn't want to continue feeding her. It cost me nothing more than her clipped wool the following spring. I brought her home and named her Abigal.
A few weeks later I noticed her pawing the dirt in the corral and she laid down and dropped her lamb. Cute little cuss, so keeping up the naming concept I gave him the moniker of Herbie. Abigal was my weed control and I had to chain her at strategic locations to better utilize her skills. Herbie was attached to her and never left her side. I docked his tail (needed to keep burrs from attaching themselves) and docked his other area. Herbie was Abigal's constant companion.
During early spring I was working graveyard (11-7) at night, we had a dress code then and I was dressed in slacks, button down shirt and dress shoes. I came home and noticed that Abigal had somehow got her head stuck in the section of field fence that she was chained to. I felt sorry and knew I had to free her. It had been raining and was continuing to drizzle. I didn't want to go in and change, figuring it was a minor inconvenience. Going over and pushing, pulling and twisting her head around I even got behind her and tried to pull her chain. I was slipping in the mud and getting more frustrated. I finally could see the only way to dislodge her was to strattle her neck and push on her front legs. She popped out and charged to one side catching my leg with her chain. Down I went and luck would have it I twisted and injured my back.
I crawled to my feet hobbled into the house and went straight to where I stored my 3006, grabbing a shell I headed back outside telling my wife that Abigal was history. I fully intended to get out of the sheep business as soon as I could. I can imagine the scene me bent over walking like Quasimodo, my wife walking behind me crying to me, 'Please remember Herbie, I refuse to raise him!'. That was the right thing to say, I relented unloaded my rifle and walked every so slowly, my wife helping me back into the house.
Later on after I knew that shepherding was not in my future I gave Abigal & Herbie to a family of field workers who were elated to have them. I had eaten lamb chops prior to those days and never really cared for it, Herbie was safe from me and mine.
Heidi & my goat whispering days
My last mention of farm animals has to include Heidi, the goat. I'm not even sure where we acquired her but she was there for 2 summers. She was the only animal I could call a pet other than my usual array of domestic cats and dogs. She was just there. She foraged for her food eating her fill from the grain bin and drinking from the calf watering trough. I never had to worry about her.
My eldest daughter was about 8 and was her friend. They played 'King of the Hill', Heidi on the picnic table gently butting heads with Jen. They would go everywhere together. Walking to the barn, Jen riding her bike and Heidi running along side. Jen still talks about her.
Anything was fair game and cried out to be jumped on. Our cars my truck, I had to shoo her out of the truck bed if I wanted to go to town. Goat tracks on the hoods and top of my wife's car. And of course the little round droppings found everywhere. But we all loved her.
Heidi helped keep the lawn, bushes and the wife's flowers in check. She made it her goal to shred all my junk mail and any cardboard or paper to something resembling confetti. She became my first paper shredder. Cleanup after her was fun if the wind didn't do it first. I finally gave her to a family whom raised goats, and I'm sure she enjoyed a fruitful existence with many of her new friends.
After those I quit naming the livestock, 2 reasons – 1 there were becoming too many and 2 it was less traumatic knowing we or someone would be eating them within a very short time.
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
I'll answer your question about ND here since it was a repost of yesterday's. North Dakota never really was on any of our travel itineraries. Somehow we just never planned any trip that required us to go through there. Although I did like 'Fargo' the movie. Who else besides the Coen brothers would have a pregnant sheriff chasing maddened killers around the frozen north? That's also why my favorite movie is 'The Big Lebowski'.
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
My career was somewhat involuntarily ending in 2009. I had to make a choice either retire at 64 or stick it out another 3 years. Our pension plan had ended for newer employees (under 15 years), I was grandfathered in but nothing is a sure bet. Our pension was based upon your highest 5 years during your last 10 years. My highest earning years were 1999-2004. The contracts we had were ending and they had cut our overtime. I had been receiving the 2-4% increases during the previous 5 years (2005-2009) and still was not making nearly as much as I did during those gravy train years of unlimited overtime.
My 'Perfect Storm' was brewing and the decision was made for me. Retire in 2009, get the severance package, sell the home and move to a more hospitable climate with lower utilities and a more favorable tax base. Eliminate the higher mortgage on an oversized, overextended home that seemed to be losing more each day and couple that with the damage my 401K suffered I had to make a snap decision. It turned out that my employment position was safe and I wasn't eligible to volunteer. It took some maneuvering and a little begging to get on the RIF list and get the benefits.
Snap, Boom, Bah! I was out and for the first time since I was 18 years, I was unemployed with no prospects. We spent the next year and a half spending over $10,000 to upgrade the house to sell and take a $40,000 loss on the valuation done in 2008. I had just purchased a new auto with a 5 year payment plan. We had purchased a new auto in 2008 for the wife with another 5 year plan. I had amassed some other bills and paid some of them off with my severance package. But, still had the white elephants to pay off. I was paying $700 a month for Cobra health insurance to protect my assets until we both reached 65 and Medicare. $8,400 yearly was a big chuck out of our monthly income and savings.
We recovered and are the better for it. We love our new location and lower living expenses. Our income is adequate and we have built up a little savings for emergencies and long term goals. Our final expenses are covered along with enough to weather a catastrophic health event. 2011 was a different story and looking back I wonder how we made it. When the home sold and we were homeless for the first time in our 45 years of marriage things looked bleak. I wish I had paid more attention to the experts.
What this story shows myself that I can adapt and things do change. I'm relating this to show that I have matured and think that my priorities are more focused upon getting things in proper perspective. I've mentioned that my one vice is casino gambling, I remember the lean times, the trips back when I didn't even have a dime to buy a cup of ice to chill my Diet Pepsi that was unopened rolling around the back of my car. I also remember the good times when I was flush with future expectations of fruitful trips because I was coming home ahead.
Saturday my daughter and son-in-law invited us to take a short trip to the local watering hole (casino) to spend a night of buffets and frivolity at the 21/craps tables pretending we are high rollers. I told her to give me until today to make up my mind. I have the money but I was at a point where I can take that money and payoff the last auto loan along with the last of the construction loans freeing up more income to save and plan for our necessities. Guess what? I chose to stay home and miss the fun just to say I paid off 2 loans/bills that have been my cross to bear since 2010. My wife is still in shock and my daughter and husband are on their way without us.
My 'Perfect Storm' was brewing and the decision was made for me. Retire in 2009, get the severance package, sell the home and move to a more hospitable climate with lower utilities and a more favorable tax base. Eliminate the higher mortgage on an oversized, overextended home that seemed to be losing more each day and couple that with the damage my 401K suffered I had to make a snap decision. It turned out that my employment position was safe and I wasn't eligible to volunteer. It took some maneuvering and a little begging to get on the RIF list and get the benefits.
Snap, Boom, Bah! I was out and for the first time since I was 18 years, I was unemployed with no prospects. We spent the next year and a half spending over $10,000 to upgrade the house to sell and take a $40,000 loss on the valuation done in 2008. I had just purchased a new auto with a 5 year payment plan. We had purchased a new auto in 2008 for the wife with another 5 year plan. I had amassed some other bills and paid some of them off with my severance package. But, still had the white elephants to pay off. I was paying $700 a month for Cobra health insurance to protect my assets until we both reached 65 and Medicare. $8,400 yearly was a big chuck out of our monthly income and savings.
We recovered and are the better for it. We love our new location and lower living expenses. Our income is adequate and we have built up a little savings for emergencies and long term goals. Our final expenses are covered along with enough to weather a catastrophic health event. 2011 was a different story and looking back I wonder how we made it. When the home sold and we were homeless for the first time in our 45 years of marriage things looked bleak. I wish I had paid more attention to the experts.
What this story shows myself that I can adapt and things do change. I'm relating this to show that I have matured and think that my priorities are more focused upon getting things in proper perspective. I've mentioned that my one vice is casino gambling, I remember the lean times, the trips back when I didn't even have a dime to buy a cup of ice to chill my Diet Pepsi that was unopened rolling around the back of my car. I also remember the good times when I was flush with future expectations of fruitful trips because I was coming home ahead.
Saturday my daughter and son-in-law invited us to take a short trip to the local watering hole (casino) to spend a night of buffets and frivolity at the 21/craps tables pretending we are high rollers. I told her to give me until today to make up my mind. I have the money but I was at a point where I can take that money and payoff the last auto loan along with the last of the construction loans freeing up more income to save and plan for our necessities. Guess what? I chose to stay home and miss the fun just to say I paid off 2 loans/bills that have been my cross to bear since 2010. My wife is still in shock and my daughter and husband are on their way without us.
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
In one of my earlier posts about gambling, I related the story about being stranded in Oasis, NV with my 2nd cousin. Yesterday I received an email from a former co-worker with an obituary attached. My 2nd cousin and gambling partner had passed away on Monday the 1st. I come from a long line of alcoholics and he was from that same string.
He basically drank himself to death at age 53. Cause was liver and kidney failure. It was sad but not unexpected. He was a gifted athlete, likeable and intelligent but he had those damn alcoholic genes flowing through his body. I watched 2 uncles destroy themselves and if my father didn't have gall bladder problems that he thought and was diagnosed as ulcers he probably would have died the same way.
He basically drank himself to death at age 53. Cause was liver and kidney failure. It was sad but not unexpected. He was a gifted athlete, likeable and intelligent but he had those damn alcoholic genes flowing through his body. I watched 2 uncles destroy themselves and if my father didn't have gall bladder problems that he thought and was diagnosed as ulcers he probably would have died the same way.
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
A post made by my daughter on Facebook reminded me of another animal story. We lived in a small bedroom community outside Salt Lake. 20,000 population with manicured lawns curb and gutter throughout. My wife was a cub scout den mother, she hosted a meeting of the leaders once and as they were leaving I got into a conversation with one of the men. He was a hoot, he saw I had a older pickup with camper shell which triggered his story about raising pigs.
He said he bought two wieners put them in the back of his pickup /w shell. He lived in a quiet neighborhood much like ours. He had 6-7 kids and money was tight. He brought the pigs home and manufactured an escape proof rear so they couldn't jump out when the shell was opened. He kept them in there the 4 months required to get them to marketable size (250 lbs) he fed & watered them.
When the smell got too rank he would drive the pickup to the car wash, hose it out, drive it back home and park it at the curb again. He did this for 4 months. When they were ready for market he drove them to the slaughter house and was the only time he needed to unload them. I can't attest to the accuracy of the story and whether it was an urban legend but it was the only time I had heard of it.
Meeting him and talking to him it sounded completely viable and I have no reason to doubt it's truth.
He said he bought two wieners put them in the back of his pickup /w shell. He lived in a quiet neighborhood much like ours. He had 6-7 kids and money was tight. He brought the pigs home and manufactured an escape proof rear so they couldn't jump out when the shell was opened. He kept them in there the 4 months required to get them to marketable size (250 lbs) he fed & watered them.
When the smell got too rank he would drive the pickup to the car wash, hose it out, drive it back home and park it at the curb again. He did this for 4 months. When they were ready for market he drove them to the slaughter house and was the only time he needed to unload them. I can't attest to the accuracy of the story and whether it was an urban legend but it was the only time I had heard of it.
Meeting him and talking to him it sounded completely viable and I have no reason to doubt it's truth.
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
Placing our heroes on pedestals. All through history we read about heroes and demigods that have lost some of their luster as time and truth marches on. One only can wonder about the process we humans use to place them into position of worship. Since it has been going on since Eve talked Adam into taking the bite of the forbidden fruit or the first human stood upright we have had our idols.
Columbus was my first hero connected to the founding of the Americas. All the explorers were praised as daring heroes discovering new and wondrous things. But as we all now know there are questions and doubts to their authenticity. Columbus, Pizarro, Ponce de Leon, Coronado among many others where not the benevolent discoverer's that our 5th grade history books had portrayed them. They murdered, conquered, raped and pillaged the Native American people, stealing everything that was not tied down and wiped the earth of some of their existence.
We have made deities of many horrible people Hitler is probably one of the most well known and at one time he was held in the highest esteem of leadership almost to point that his subjects would bow down or commit terrible atrocities at his command. Religious leaders are no exception you have your Jim Jones, David Koreshs, Marshall Applewhites, Joseph Smiths and the Sun Myung Moons. Leaders of many and abusers of most. Sports heroes aplenty along with Rock Stars and Movie stars. We need to tread lightly when setting up our heroes and realize they are just human have a better gift of gab and are subject to human frailties that we encounter every day.
I had a discussion with my older sister about Bill Cosby and his alleged accusers. She asked, 'How could he do some of things without our knowledge?' My answer comes from a training exercise I was subjected to back in my corporate days. We were studying 'Maslow's hierarchy of needs'. I'm not going to go into detail about it but the bottom line is everyone has needs and wants, it's a personal thing where we stop and draw the line when we have progressed up the steps to reach our goals.
The top three is my estimation and firm belief is once we reach financial perfection we gain power and that gives us the opportunity to then satisfy our desires. Money begets Power begets Sex. With money the powerful people can cover their tracks and sexual perversion. We 'normal have nots' don't have the resources to cover our tracks so we need to reign them in and act according to standard expectations, something not normally considered of high importance to the 'Haves'.
My heroes are few and far between and know that I will adapt as their exploits are proven false but I still have a some. I watch sports listen to music and love to watch movies. I just don't get into believing they are any better than I, only they had more opportunity and talent to work with. I know my strengths and weaknesses but don't worship others with higher skills.
Columbus was my first hero connected to the founding of the Americas. All the explorers were praised as daring heroes discovering new and wondrous things. But as we all now know there are questions and doubts to their authenticity. Columbus, Pizarro, Ponce de Leon, Coronado among many others where not the benevolent discoverer's that our 5th grade history books had portrayed them. They murdered, conquered, raped and pillaged the Native American people, stealing everything that was not tied down and wiped the earth of some of their existence.
We have made deities of many horrible people Hitler is probably one of the most well known and at one time he was held in the highest esteem of leadership almost to point that his subjects would bow down or commit terrible atrocities at his command. Religious leaders are no exception you have your Jim Jones, David Koreshs, Marshall Applewhites, Joseph Smiths and the Sun Myung Moons. Leaders of many and abusers of most. Sports heroes aplenty along with Rock Stars and Movie stars. We need to tread lightly when setting up our heroes and realize they are just human have a better gift of gab and are subject to human frailties that we encounter every day.
I had a discussion with my older sister about Bill Cosby and his alleged accusers. She asked, 'How could he do some of things without our knowledge?' My answer comes from a training exercise I was subjected to back in my corporate days. We were studying 'Maslow's hierarchy of needs'. I'm not going to go into detail about it but the bottom line is everyone has needs and wants, it's a personal thing where we stop and draw the line when we have progressed up the steps to reach our goals.
The top three is my estimation and firm belief is once we reach financial perfection we gain power and that gives us the opportunity to then satisfy our desires. Money begets Power begets Sex. With money the powerful people can cover their tracks and sexual perversion. We 'normal have nots' don't have the resources to cover our tracks so we need to reign them in and act according to standard expectations, something not normally considered of high importance to the 'Haves'.
My heroes are few and far between and know that I will adapt as their exploits are proven false but I still have a some. I watch sports listen to music and love to watch movies. I just don't get into believing they are any better than I, only they had more opportunity and talent to work with. I know my strengths and weaknesses but don't worship others with higher skills.
Meanderer
Supreme Member
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
During one early summertime evening after I had planted a garden, I noticed that my plants were being eaten by something. I decided to stakeout it out and see if I could catch the culprit. It wasn't long before out from under my neighbors wooden garage emerged a rodent of unusual size. Not sure that I wanted to confront him decided that I would give our animal control a call.
The dispatcher said she would sent someone down. 20-30 minutes later I had a patrol car and a animal control vehicle parked outside my home. I went outside to meet them, the patrolman was a former school mate and we struck up a reunion of sorts. Me, the AC officer. my wife and the patrolman ventured out back to observe the damage and hope to get a look at the rodent.
It wasn't long before he appeared. My friendly cop/school mate asked me if I had a shotgun. I went in the house retrieved the gun and a few shells then went back outside gave it to him and he called his intentions in telling his supervisor that he was going to shot the varmit, he got clearance and he left on his Rambo routine sneaking up through the raspberry bushes until he could get a clear shot from a safe vantage point. BOOM! the rodent was history, the AC officer bagged the former offending criminal.
We talked a few more minutes about the rodent, school, friends and then walked back around the front to get their vehicles, I was escorting them carrying the shotgun. None of us had thought about what anyone within hearing range would think was going on. Cop cruiser, AC vehicle and the sound of a shotgun going off it was no wonder everyone of my neighbors were safely standing on their front yards peering over their hedges or around the trees to get a look.
The cop and AC officer got out of there before they had to answer too many questions and I calmly walked back in the house with no explanation. It was the next day before anyone inquired what had happened and only the nosiest neighbor dare brooch the subject.
The dispatcher said she would sent someone down. 20-30 minutes later I had a patrol car and a animal control vehicle parked outside my home. I went outside to meet them, the patrolman was a former school mate and we struck up a reunion of sorts. Me, the AC officer. my wife and the patrolman ventured out back to observe the damage and hope to get a look at the rodent.
It wasn't long before he appeared. My friendly cop/school mate asked me if I had a shotgun. I went in the house retrieved the gun and a few shells then went back outside gave it to him and he called his intentions in telling his supervisor that he was going to shot the varmit, he got clearance and he left on his Rambo routine sneaking up through the raspberry bushes until he could get a clear shot from a safe vantage point. BOOM! the rodent was history, the AC officer bagged the former offending criminal.
We talked a few more minutes about the rodent, school, friends and then walked back around the front to get their vehicles, I was escorting them carrying the shotgun. None of us had thought about what anyone within hearing range would think was going on. Cop cruiser, AC vehicle and the sound of a shotgun going off it was no wonder everyone of my neighbors were safely standing on their front yards peering over their hedges or around the trees to get a look.
The cop and AC officer got out of there before they had to answer too many questions and I calmly walked back in the house with no explanation. It was the next day before anyone inquired what had happened and only the nosiest neighbor dare brooch the subject.
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
To me it looked about the size of a shetland pony but I think the AC officer said it was a woodchuck, in honestly it was smaller than a beaver and larger than a squirrel.Missing is the information on what this rodent was. Come on, Son, what was it? A mouse?