Things change. Memories stay.

Welcome. It's Thursday, June 27, 2019. As I was trucking my way over to my old stomping grounds, (some call it stamping), I thought about how many miles I traveled the last 8 months before mom, first, and then, dad, went to their reward. Back when I was a teenager after I got my drivers license, mom used to say that all I liked to do was burn the roads up. After all, you had to pay $1 for 3 gallons of gasoline. On the way over this trip, I stopped at the fast food joint we usually stop at in Cleveland, Texas. I always picked up a local area newspaper for dad. He was a voracious reader. Cover to cover, as they say. But, alas, they no longer sell that paper at that location. Maybe it went the way of many other newspapers in the interconnected times we are living in. I was going to buy one for old times sake. I mentioned to my eldest and he said maybe this is part of the new owners in Chicago in how they are going to run these food joints. I wouldn't think so, but, them buying out Whataburger did light up social media. I never saw so many upset people. One fellow, with perhaps a reference to the Chicago reputation, put up something that said if they mess with the burgers he likes,  he will come to Chicago and kill them. Really? No newspaper. After I finished all the legal stuff and headed out to the national cemetery, I passed by a ballpark where I and another fellow had shown up since we were selected to the area-wide Dixie League all-star team. The park today is pretty run down and it looks so tiny. I remember thinking about how big it was when we were there as 14-year-olds. The fellows we played with from Leesville were from the larger town. They looked at us Hornbeck boys as hicks come in from the farm. Funny enough, they got the same treatment from the Alexandria boys when we went there for the actual game. My fellow player passed away a few years ago. Things change. Memories stay.

Based on what I am hearing from the Democrat candidates seeking the nomination to run against President Trump, well, they may need to come up with a new slogan that talks about how quickly they will bankrupt the country. Under their leadership, everything will be free. That's quite a promise for a country already dealing with a burgeoning $23 trillion dollar debt. Free. From the cradle to the grave. Free college and all previous debt forgiven. Free health care for everyone. Reparations for the descendants of slaves. Free right to kill a baby up to the day they come forth from the womb. That's an interesting one since they currently are tied in knots over the plight of the children here illegally. Kill a baby, no problem. Kill a protected animal species and they will throw the book at you. And, it goes on and on and on. Wait a minute. It will not be free for anyone who through hard work becomes successful. Don't worry, we are only going to hit the huge corporations and fat cats. Yep. That's a good one. I wonder who will actually pay? The corporations or the people who buy their products? At least they are not hiding their desire and determination to make our country a government run society. They call it democratic socialism as if naming it that changes the final outcome. That would be the loss of the freedoms upon which we were founded. I've explained in detail many times how the candidacy of Hillary Clinton sealed my vote for her opponent. There are 25 confirmed candidates running to represent the Democrat Ticket, and, my assessment at this time says simply: As it relates to casting a vote, there are 25 Hillary Clintons running. Just me. Not you. Me.

Some have said over the years that I am opinionated. Where do I sign something to plead guilty in the first, second, and third degrees? Part of having a blog is to be able to share views. The previous paragraph is an example of that. You may see it differently. Obviously, many do. That's one of the freedoms that could eventually go by the wayside when the government dictates everyday life. I speak as one who is not above the law. I have recent proof. On my way back from Louisiana I drove my usual route. I drove my usual speeds. They range from 55 mph to 75 mph. However, Jasper County has recently passed a new ordinance and reduced the speed limits to a maximum of 65 mph throughout the county. I didn't know that. I didn't pay any attention to the new signs. I was stopped by a Department of Public Safety officer. Officer Bennet was very businesslike and courteous. He immediately told me he was not going to write me a ticket because not even the locals have gotten used to the new lower limits. That was good to know. And, even though we see it every week on 'Live PD', it still stung a little when he asked me what business I had on the road that day, and where I was coming from. It sounds a lot less intrusive when they ask it on 'Live PD'. I told him I had been over to Hornbeck, Louisiana to take care of selling my parents' homeplace. We chatted forth and back about that. I gave him a Santa Claus card for a souvenir. That brought on another few minutes of chatter. At any rate, I did receive a warning. When I mentioned to the wife I felt good that at 72, I was thought to be a speedster. When you think about it, that's a really archaic word but then again, if the shoe fits, I suppose I must wear it. Take care. Enjoy. May God bless. Amen. ....More later.