Nothing Good To Say

Sorry but I do not believe that I will post today.
I did not have a good day yesterday.
So rather than bore you with self pity or a meaningless rant I have chosen to make this an inactive blog day.



It is what it is



Rod

Unbelievable

After reading some of my friends blogs yesterday I had to share this...


The Tax Poem


At first I thought this was funny....then I realized the awful truth of it.
Be sure to read all the way to the end.


Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.


Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.


Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!


Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.


Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.


Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.


Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.


Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.


Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.


When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.


Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.


Put these words
Upon his tomb,
Taxes drove me to my doom...


'When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.


Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax


STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.


We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middleclass in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.


What in the hell happened?


Can you spell 'politicians?'


And I still have to 'press 1' for English!?


I don't think I need to say anymore...


It is what it is
So what are we going to do about it?
Rod

My Little Caring Friends

Last night while working on my blog post I was having difficulties with what I was wanting to do, and unknown to me I was stressing about it. So you ask how did I find out? Easy. Pixie our pug made me realize it.

She was sleeping on the sofa and all if the sudden jumped down and made sure that she got my attention so I scratched her on the head but this was not enough she kept at it until I let her in my lap for a serious petting and hand washing.

Well as I kept loving on her I realized I was stressing over something as stupid as a blog post. I actually felt it go away. Totally amazing.

That made me think of some other times that this has happened.

Saturday I got worked up about something from the past but this time it was Fancy that came to the rescue. She would not let me out of her sight! Everywhere I went she was right behind me, until I finally gave her a good loving and once again learned that I was stressing over something stupid.

People can say what they want about dogs and cats but they have unbelievable perception of their world and can sense when you are not right with yourself.

Back a few years ago I had real high blood pressure and was having to keep a log for the doctors so they could adjust my meds. as needed. Well Pixie was just a young pug and full of energy. We usually play fetch for about an hour each night to wear her out so we could go to bed. This particular night I had taken my blood pressure and had logged it and then decided it was time to start wearing the pug out for bed.

For some reason she did not want to play fetch so I ended up on the floor hand fighting with her.Well she was ecstatic growling and barking and started doing power runs it was really hilarious. An interesting thing happened I could actually tell that my blood pressure was going down so I checked and it had by quite a bit.!

Ok that is enough for today. I was at a standstill on what to write tonight and thought it was going to be an inactive blog day. But, one of my little friends came to the rescue.

It is what it is

Rod

Being Positive

I've met allot of new friends here on the net and by far most of them all talk about the same thing.

Being positive.

Those of you who have read through my blog, know I am going through a very stressful time right now. Adding to that is my oldest son now being laid off from paradise also.

Here is a glimpse of what I read most everyday.

Lets start with Hermit Jim and his nephew Cygnus, They both have a tendency to rant about the world and were it is heading but if you follow them on a daily basis you will find the positive in them.

They each have a dream and a plan that they are following and that makes it positive. They put out allot of information on how to plan on surviving this world currently and how to survive the worst if it comes.

Then there is Johns Blog What can I say here this man does allot of research on the net and you will not always like what you see but unfortunately it is true. Yet John also has a positive he is prepared in his mind and soul through his learning's to accept whatever happens in this world good or bad he will be ready.

Now lets talk about Edains Blog she also has some concerns she talks about but then you have your posts about raising your own food and preparing it. She is also following her dream with allot of success.

Ok then there is Missi's Blog. She has had a very tough life and still keeps a rosy attitude. Again she has a plan and is following it. She has her rants but they always tend to come out positive.

We now come to Genes Blog he has a post on it now about a exercise in positive thinking. Gene always looks for the bet in everything refuses to let negativity into his life.

And last we come to Lydias Blog. She does have her occasional rants about the world and where it is heading but it is coming from her heart. She hates to see people suffer especially when it is someone she knows. If you read her blog she also has allot of teachings about her learning's to help get rid of the negative around you. And how to see the world in a different way, like through someone else's eyes.

Basically I am thanking each and everyone of these people because even though I have not personally met them they have helped me in my difficult time. Without having been following them in their blogs I would right now be wallowing in self pity thinking it was the end of my little part of the world.

I know that I have been using there teachings, because my son came over today after he was laid off and said that because of my attitude he was not going to let it bother him either. We sat down and set him a plan to follow and he left with a great attitude and a smile on his face.

Now you're not going to believe the last words out of his mouth as he was leaving.

He looked me square in the eyes and said....

Dad, It is what it is
Hmmm maybe sometimes they do listen

Rod

Small Town Rodeos

Now I know you have all watched Rodeos on TV. The PBR or the National Finals, but what you don't see, or have not been shown, is the...well for loss of better words the half time show.

Now in the big Rodeos they bring in an act, or the bull fighters put on a show. But that is not always the case in a small town...we need to be creative.

Being raised in a small town, we all went through our stage of wanting to be a cowboy! In fact, some big time Rodeo Cowboys live within 20 miles of me. I'll give you a couple of names that are well know now; Clint Corey and Ross Colman. So it can be a big thing in a small country town.

I had my first experiences riding at Cowdeos that are for kids 14 and under. They have a variety of events for each age group starting with mutton busting for the young kids, calf riding for the
next group, and cow riding for the older kids.

So I started out at the bottom and worked my way up with no great success other than to say I never did get hurt...Pride don't count.

Enough of that lets get back to the story.

At our local arena the chutes did not have numbers on them they had sponsors so instead of the announcer saying now coming out of chute number 3, it was now coming out of the Olsens Saddlery chute, or who ever was the sponsor.

Well they came up with this Idea to have a wild cow riding contest and the sponsors had to provide a 3 person team for the event and the team won the prize money.

The trick they pulled was they did not tell them about it until the first day of the Rodeo, so they had no time to prepare teams. Most of the sponsors were big companies that had allot of men working for them so they recruited from the employees. All except one who I mentioned earlier Olsens Saddlery.

They were a small mom and pop business which had maybe four people working for them, and most of them were female. So Ray the owner went recruiting and for some reason I was first on his list.

So Ray got a hold of me and explained the situation to me, and asked if I could help...Of course I can. So I went and talked a couple of friends into doing it with me with promises of riches to be made...100 dollars for first place or something like that, split 3 ways. But they got a free ticket into the Rodeo!

Some of you might have seen wild horse races well it is the same, 3 people anchor on the end of the rope. A mugger who got the cow around the neck and slowed her down and the rider who put the rope on the cow and rode her across the arena. Now they added a little twist to this since it was cows we were riding. After you crossed the line with rider still aboard, you then had to take the halter off and run it back to the judges.

Ok we had the team together and were ready for the first day of a two day event. We showed up and we are the youngest there, by at least 10 years! So, we had to take the ribbing about being the young punks.

It was our time to go, so we got in front of the chute and they hand us the rope that is attached to the halter on the cow and got ready to start the count down. Time for some last minute plans..8 cows times 3 men each that's allot of bodies and animals to get ran over by!

We devised this last minute plan to throw open the chute and all three of us try to keep the cow in the chute. While I mount up and ride. 3, 2. 1, go throw open the chute and the 3 of us jump this cow and she just stands there as pretty as you please! Kinda looks at us like; Hi guys how's it going...? Wonderful could not be better! So we put the rope on no problem, get on her no problem, in fact she stood and let us pull the rope tight, great!

They let her go and she just stood there perfectly happy! They had to pull her out of the chute with the rope and herd her down the arena at a stately walk and the whole time I'm watching 7 other cows with riders cross the line with their anchors and muggers in hot pursuit. I can still remember thinking well there goes the money.

Well we finish our slow walk and finally cross the line..had no problem stopping our cow, she didn't want to go any where as it was! Took the halter off and walked to the judges. We got FIRST place! Because ?..nobody else could catch their cows.

Had a great laugh from that one.

Day two same people same place only different cows. Ok plan worked great first day so why change it. 3, 2, 1, go throw open the chute rush the cow..same results she just stands there.

Put the rope on her, She just stands there, I jump on her back, all hell breaks loose. Now this cow knew how to buck and liked it. So this time we were not the last cow across but the first with yours truly doing his best to stay on.

Well for some reason unknown even at this time she decided that that was enough and put the brakes on hard with me flying over her head in a pile in front of her! She then decided that maybe I should see what it was like to be rode because her next jump was on top of me doing her best tap dance.

Well I really don't remember a whole lot after that but finally came to my senses and realized that I was not in a good position and had better get outta there. Struggled to my feet and took a couple of steps just to meet my new girl friend again and she had to say hi again.

I'm not really sure what I did to piss her off at me so much but she had me down again and was giving it to me again but that was her mistake as my help came to the rescue and got the halter off her and helped me outta there, still got third place.

Well the following year we were dumb enough to do it again but this time it was all kids so we did not do so well.

At least there was no one hurt that year...

It is what it is

Rod

A Short Story

This happened to me on a trip to Southern California.


Was down in Vista California visiting my grandparents doing the whole tourist thing Disneyland, Universal Studios Lego Land, San Diego Zoo well all of them.



So every morning my grandmothers husband Carl and I would go to the grocery store for the days meals. He loves to shop so they keep very little food at home.


My first shock when we got to the store was that they sold all kinds of alcohol there you name it and it is at the grocery store. In Oregon you ave to go to a Liquor store that is ran by the state. Was also the first time I had ever seen Crispy Creme donuts yummy.


There was on trip that really stands out in my mind tho.


Now I don't know if all of you know this but the water that comes out of the tap in Southern California is not fit for man or beast to drink terrible. So bottled water is real big there and you see trucks delivering it everywhere.


Ok now knowing that but being a small town boy I never thought that there would be a whole aisle dedicated to nothing but water. I was wandering down this aisle in amazement when suddenly I was brought to a halt in total awe.


Where I live there is a small water bottling plant. We have some of the best water in the world straight out of the ground 99.9% pure. the water went underground before the first nuclear tests as it has no radioactivity in it.


What do I see but a big portion of the display has Earth2o water from my home town. I guess I must of had a strange look on my face as this lady kindly tells we that it is the greatest water in the world and that I should definitely buy it.


Well being a little bit at a loss for words I agreed. She then asked me if I had ever had it which made me chuckle. She asked what was so funny so I told her.


Yeah I know back home we flush our toilets and wash our cars with it. Now she had the funny look you know like yeah ok right.


It ended up taking me and Carl about 20 minutes to explain to her that it was the water that came out of the taps at home and make her believe it.



So if you drink Earth2o water or any water bottled by Opal springs bottling company you have had a chance to try a little bit of my part of the world...


It is what it is


Thank God I'm a country boy


Rod

Living In The Country

Had a small problem last night and it made me think about some things.

At around 5 PM yesterday the power went off. Not unusual it happens every where. So did not think a whole lot about it since shortly after it happened heard sirens going off. Thought that might of been a car wreck and they took out a power pole. We needed to run to town but when we stepped out the door surprise all the neighbors had power!

Great, grabbed a flashlight went to the breaker box main breaker is tripped, tried to reset it but no go! Broken. Well luckily the hardware store was still open so got a new breaker and fixed it.

Ok that was no big thing but it brought to mind one thing that happened when we lived 20 out of town. It was Christmas eve and we had finished opening gifts and doing the normal Christmas cheer and things had wound down and we were all heading to bed. I went to get a drink of water and when I turned it on..nothing.

Ok something must be wrong with the pump so I grabbed a flashlight and went to investigate. Did not have to go far to see we had a problem there was water gushing out of the ground. Great. Ran to the pump house and turned off the pump and then ran to my parents house and told my dad of the problem and went back to survey the situation.

Seems that a shut off valve that went to a sprinkler spigot had decided that it did not want to be in one piece any more, and had broke. It was cold but not that bad ,and we had it well insulated but it was old. Well no other choice but to dive in and fix it. Cold or not, need to have water.

Took off my coat had a little pep talk with myself and got on my hands and knees and put my arm in the hole. To my surprise the water was warm....Oh great the hot water heaters are draining. My dad was headed down by that time, so I yelled at him to shut off the hot water heaters so the elements would not burn out. After he got that done is was just a matter of getting the right tools and parts to fix, the whole time laying in 2 inches of rapidly cooling water.

Don't know who had it worse, me or my dad, who probably put in 3 miles that night running for parts. So after we got it fixed and the pump running again my cousin who was probably around 15 at the time helped..ok he held the flashlight..he is a city boy born and raised.

Well I had stood up soaking wet no hot water for a shower, cold, need I say more? But he pipes up with I'm never going to live in the country...Why I asked thru chattering teeth...His comment was something along the line of that he would not do anything like that you pay people to do that stuff.

City boy he did not understand we did it because..

It is what it is

And who is going to get a plumber at that time anyway?

Rod