Potholes or craters?
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
A sign that used to be on Williamson road
to tease the taste buds and please the wallet
Here's a fast-food burger chain that I essentially I grew up with during my time in the great state of Virginia. It was around and thriving in the '60s and '70s. It had 50 locations and as was customary at the time every location was a mirror image of the other ones. Unlike today where you find McDonald's, Taco Bell and many others have a different look depending on their location and theme that they are striving for in the area.
Although there is only one original Kenny's Burger still standing at
Kenny Burger 635 Waddell Street Lexington, Virginia 24450
The Kenny burger was different and delicious because of its special sauce. You can find the recipe at:
https://www.recipesecrets.net/forums/your-favorite-recipes/25778-kenneys-broiled-burger-sauce-50s-80s.html
I know the ingredients sound strange but just try it.
Kenny's Burger's began as Biff-Burger in 1958 and was owned by William Bill Kenny. The name was changed as the chain grew and the new name caught on quickly.
Then along came Ray Kroc and the now omnipresent McDonald's. McDonald's with a more efficient workflow to serve faster orders and more ingredients to make a much tastier burger. Not to mention other food changes that started a wave of customers that couldn't get enough Micky Dee's and Kenny's Burger's that could not see enough, customers that is, with empty bellies and full wallets.
Having been in the fast-food restaurant business and can vouch for the fact that it is one of the, if not the toughest, businesses to succeed in all I can say right now is.....
I WANT A KENNY BURGER!!
Monday, November 11, 2019
November 11, the day to honor and revere the men and women who have served our country and still are serving. Many paid the ultimate price for the freedom that we as a country and society bask in and enjoy. We do this by having parades in their honor. Speeches by some of those that were severely wounded by enemy gunfire, IUDs, or some other life-ending activity due to war.
Today will be the first time a sitting president will speak at the glorious event. This I ask of myself, WHY? Many if not all have been invited in the past and each has declined. Here is a list of presidents that DID NOT SERVE:
The 12 Presidents who did not serve in the military
are: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, Grover Cleveland,
William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge,
Herbert C. Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, William J. Clinton, Barack
H. Obama and Donald Trump.
The climate, atmosphere, of today, is counterproductive for our society to continue as the world's military force. That is a good thing IF...... we could get the political nincompoops to put down their rattlers and security blankets and grow up.
But the things that have been around since God created Earth, GREED AND POWER LUST, will simply not allow this to occur.
The youth of today have lost their perspective, that is assuming they ever had one, and for that reason, we will always have the need for November 11 to always be viable.
And Jesus said,
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Hospital Mexico |
Hospital San Rafael |
Entry number three regarding my 'stay' at Hospital San Rafael in Alajuela and my visits to Hospital Mexico in San Jose. At least I got out with all my fingers and toes still attached. Please sit back and allow me to enlighten you about my 2+ weeks at these Costa Rica hospitals.
It all began on the evening of October 29, 2019, which brought on a phone call and I was told that I had 2 hours to report to the hospital or lose the room I had been waiting on to have testing started on cancer that I had been diagnosed with earlier in the month.
We started jumping around to collect the items needed for the beginning of my stay. We know from experience that when they say jump you do it or if you are late you stand the very real chance of losing the room and another won't become available for 1-2 months at least!
So we get there in our allotted time period and we sat for 4 hours before the bed is ready. You see in this country they have 3 speeds: SLOW, SLOWER, and SLOWEST. That is unless they are waiting for you. Then it's what are YOU waiting on.
First day: Blood test. They knew that due to cancer my mouth was extremely sore and liquids were all I take in, chewing was out of the question. So what was I served for lunch? Partially cooked carrots and potatoes and an unidentifiable vegetable that was also partially cooked. When a complaint was registered I was told they would do better in the future. So for dinner, I received a bowl of cold brown soup that smelled late dirty socks and a glass of an unknown liquid that was white in color and had a bland taste. Going forward there is no need to describe additional meals, they were each similar even after repeated complaints to various doctors when I was told we will do better. That ship my friend NEVER SAILED. *I lost 12 pounds while there
Second day: Chest X-ray. Several doctors stopped in to ask how I was doing. With each one, I ask "What is your specialty"? Two said general medicine. One said he was a pain doctor. I said great you are the one that can help me with this pain I have in my mouth. His response, no, not right now. I see you are already taking 5 medications. Oh, so true doctor but they are not relieving the pain. His response, more tests are needed. So in the meantime, I just lay here and suffer. I was told they would fix that ASAP. That night I was given 1/2 of the prescribed medication. When I ask why the next morning I was told that was a mistake. It won't happen again. Guess what.........IT DID!! Repeatedly.
Third day: I was transported via ambulance to Hospital Mexico to talk to an oncologist. He examined me and concurred, yep, you have cancer all right. He said he had a colleague I needed to talk to. She said, yep, you have cancer in your tonsils. We need to have some teeth pulled that will interfere with the Radiotherapy and Chemo that you will have to have. We also need more x-rays. You also have anemia and we have to find out where that's coming from. I asked isn't that a depletion of iron? Yes, but not always.
Fourth and fifth day: It was the weekend and doctors, as a rule, don't work weekends. There are NO tests done on the weekend. So you sit in the room for 2 days with 5 other guys with various illnesses and they don't speak English and there is NO TV either.
Sixth day: Off to Hospital Mexico to talk with a doctor and see the dentist. One to discuss the treatment procedure itself and the other to be told that 4 teeth would have to go but they would need x-rays of the mouth to decide which ones. That was odd because every time in the past the dentist would get x-rays first. Anyway, I had to return twice and they pulled 8 teeth in total.
The other tests during my stay included having a mesh mask made that must conform to my face without any space, fit like a glove as it were. This must be worn during each treatment to keep from damaging my skin permanently. A couple more CT scans and since a spot was found on one of my lungs they did a biopsy to determine if it is malignant or benign.
It was determined that my anima is from an iron deficiency. They have to put a PEG in my stomach for me to be fed through during my treatments.
The primary doctor released me until the treatment begins in a few weeks. I will receive 32 sessions of 2 hours each 5 days a week.
YOU MUST LIE PERFECTLY STILL
(THEIR WORDS NOT MINE)
DURING THE ENTIRE 2 HOUR PROCEDURE
Monday, October 21, 2019
First Annual National Period Day
October 19th, 2019 marked the first National Period Day. Now don't be embarrassed or ashamed if you missed it. Research shows that women intentionally kept it a secret so that the next time we males do something wrong, no matter how small, they can use that as a double whammy. "I can't believe you did that AND forgot National Period Day. You're sleeping on the couch slimebag and eating bologna sandwiches for the rest of the week!!"
What do you buy for them on this day? Tampons or pads! Are you supposed to throw in some of that medication that helps with cramps and backaches? Are you supposed to buy them a loose-fitting pair of pants so the 'problem' can't be easily seen from behind? WARNING!! Don't ask any of these questions until you are back in bed and on regular food.
What's next? National Bad Hair Day. Or, "Ignore that Full Closet Of Clothes Day', I don't have anything to wear!!!!
Maybe we men should create 'National Clean Your Gun Day'. Then say to her, now look down the barrel to make sure it's clean as a whistle. While you do that whistle as you pull the trigger. You need to make sure that works too!
Author not responsible for any 'accidents'
Saturday, October 19, 2019
1/3 of the line waiting to get into the hospital at 5:30 am
I went to the hospital again Thursday to get a biopsy of a dark spot on my lungs. This is another test that has been ordered by one of the doctors before they start the treatment for cancer in my tonsils. Let me tell you about that experience!
We arrived and went to the area that was pointed out to us. They had me strip down to my undies and socks and pull on a surgical gown. My wife talked with the receptionist as I sat quietly and patiently next to her desk. Then the circus started.
I have a file that is at least 5 inches thick from the multiple times I have been there. The hospital even called a few days before the appointment to verify that I would be there. The doctor came in and as he was talking to my wife about the drugs I currently take each day, (I don't speak Spanish and he doesn't speak English). When she told him that one of them was Plavix the circus was about to kick into high gear.
He asked Nuria when was the last time I had taken Plavix. She told him at 10 am the previous day. He looked a little alarmed and said that he wasn't sure if he could do the procedure because I had to stop taking it five days BEFORE this procedure. She explained that we were told that I could not eat or drink anything 12 hours before but no one said I had to discontinue the drug before. I could see the doctor mentally shrugging his shoulders in the gesture of it's not my problem.
He told her (us) that he would make a phone call to verify that he could not do the procedure. Please have seat, this won't take long. Boy, was he wrong!! After waiting 30 minutes we ask if there was an answer and by the way, what happened to the doctor. The receptionist said he was in a meeting. A MEETING!! WHAT??? Do you have to call a meeting to make a phone call?
A short time later we saw the doctor and he was consciously ignoring us. You know how the person will look your way and then quickly divert their eyes. I had Nuria call out to get his attention. By this time over an hour had passed. He told us that he had turned the situation over to his boss and was waiting for an answer. Oh, he also said that his boss WAS IN A MEETING!! I immediately got pissed. I'm sitting here waiting for a simple answer to a simple question and those in charge of my time is IN A MEETING!
15-20 minutes later I put my clothes on and ask my wife to tell the receptionist to reschedule the appointment. The receptionist said she could not because she didn't have access to his schedule. W-H-A-T?? About this time I'm about to throw a hissy fit. But instead, I told Nuria I was going outside for some fresh air.
She came out and we went to the pharmacy there on the grounds. As we were leaving the young fellow from the doctor's office caught up with us and told Nuria the doctor wanted to see her. She went and met with two doctors. They told her I was to have the procedure in a different hospital, closer to home, but first, they wanted her, the doctor, to determine why I was still anemic. That has to be fixed before the procedure can be performed. I'm pulling my hair out. I'm handling the cancer OK, but these doctors are driving me crazy. I'm beginning to wonder if they know their arse from a hole in the ground. This is not the only time that I have found myself in the middle of this circus. I have been dealing with it for 3 years.
I have a bad heart. Possibly they are just trying to put me in cardiac arrest and then into the cremation vase so they can wash their hands of me and seek out their next victim, I mean patient.
Just get in line, we'll be with you when we are damn good and ready.
See above photo
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Mariska and Peter
Have you ever seen Law and Order: Suv? Then you know Mariska Hargitay. She's the star and plays Olivia Benson, who now has achieved the rank of lieutenant. Her specialty is catching sex crime perps. Mainly rapists and assorted other inhuman types.
Jane Mansfield in Promises, Promises |
She was born on January 23, 1964, in California. Her father was a bodybuilder, Mike Hargitay, Mr. Universe, and her mother was, wait for it......Jane Mansfield. That's right, one of the first Playboy Bunnies! Several years ago I would have voted Mariska a bunny also. But like so many of us she grew out as well as up. She probably put on the extra weight so she could handle those criminals better. But the truth is I think she is still foxy in her own way. But she is 55 and married and I am retired nursing cancer, boohoo, boohoo.
Her and her hubby, Peter Hermann, have three children. One she gave birth to via cesarean section and two adopted. They married in 2004 after meeting on the show. She has been in that show since 1999. As of August 2012, Hargitay was earning approximately $400,000–$500,000 per episode. She is one of the highest-paid actresses on television, with an estimated annual salary of $13 million. Mariska has an estimated net worth of $50 million.
Here is more info on her: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariska_Hargitay She is an interesting lady. Maybe she will contribute to my cancer fight with some of her wealth and we will ride into the sunset together.........A guy can dream, can't he?!
The Family
https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a28100025/mariska-hargitay-husband-peter-hermann-marriage/
Saturday, October 12, 2019
This is a long read but has excellent information for you.
Foods to Eat to Prevent Cancer
Cancer is a scary disease. Basically, something causes cells within your body to grow abnormally. There are known causes for cancer – viruses, smoking, chemicals (like asbestos), sunburns, and drinking alcohol.
Foods contain antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that fight cancer. Eating these daily may protect you from cancer. If you are overweight, your cancer risk is increased. Losing weight through good nutrition will protect you as well.
Instead of one food in each group, we’ll look at the compounds. If you don’t like one food, there are others in that group. Many foods show up in different groups, so you can make every calorie count.
Allium
Garlic is one of the best sources of allium. Allium has anti-tumor and antimicrobial effects and helps prevent cardiovascular disease. Garlic also kills H. pylori, bacteria associated with stomach cancer. Garlic may reduce the risk of colon, esophageal, pancreatic and breast cancers.
For best results, peel and chop a clove and let it sit 15 minutes. Use it to cook with or swallow with water. Garlic is the most studied allium, but others in the family include chives, scallions, leeks, and onions.
Getting ready for cancer treatment
I was at the hospital yesterday for a dentist to look my mouth over to decide what and how many teeth I was going to lose before the Radiotherapy begins on my cancer. I was told that teeth sometimes interferes with the treatment so they remove any suspect teeth BEFORE the treatments begin. I guess it could be worse. At least they are letting me keep my arms and legs. For now anyway.
All he did this time was put me in that chair and probe around my mouth. After a few menacing AAA'S and oooh's on his part he let me get up and proceeded to tell me that some would have to go but first he wanted x-rays to verify his suspicions. So inside my head, I'm thinking don't they usually come first? But remember, you are not in the US. They do things differently here. Like put the cart before the horse and say PUSH!!
So I have to go back in a couple weeks for x-rays and a teeth pulling party. I don't expect to see balloons and scantily clothed women wanting me to put some colonies in their underwear. Darn, that would make everything more palatable.
So with those two added appointments and one with a nutritionist, that was added yesterday, I am up to 15 total for this month. I hope they decide to start the treatments BEFORE they test me to death!!
More to come.......
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Part of the Impeachment Squad
Here is a link to the letter White House counsel, Pat Cipollone, sent on Tuesday, Oct. 8 to the impeachment squad, my terminology. Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, Eliot Engal, and Elijah Cummings. https://www.scribd.com/document/429357573/White-House-Letter-to-Speaker-Pelosi-Et-Al-10-08-2019#from_embed
Here is a couple of excerpts from that letter:
For example, you have denied the President the right to cross-examine witnesses, to call
witnesses, to receive transcripts of testimony, to have access to evidence, to have counsel
present, and many other basic rights guaranteed to all Americans. You have conducted your
proceedings in secret. You have violated civil liberties and the separation of powers by
tlu·eatening Executive Branch officials, claiming that you will seek to punish those who exercise
fundamental constitutional rights and prerogatives. All of this violates the Constitution, the rule
of law, and eve1y past precedent. Never before in our history has the House of
Representatives-under the control of either political party-taken the American people down
the dangerous path you seem determined to pursue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For his part, President Trump took the unprecedented step of providing the public
transparency by declassifying and releasing the record of his call with President Zelenskyy of
Ukraine. The record clearly established that the call was completely appropriate and that there is
no basis for your inquiry. The fact that there was nothing wrong with the call was also
powerfully confirmed by Chairman Schiffs decision to create a false version of the call and read
it to the American people at a congressional hearing, without disclosing that he was simply
making it all up.
I'm sure that there will be plenty of duck and jabs on both sides and all involved will be pushing hard for each American to believe them and fall in line with what they are feeding you. In other words, PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!
I encourage you to read the letter and decide for yourself. Don't be a party to their lemming party line and jump off. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lemming
All Americans are guaranteed due process. That includes the POTUS.
Here's another link you may find interesting:
https://thefederalist.com/2019/10/02/the-key-point-about-whistleblowers-first-hand-knowledge-isnt-the-law-its-the-shady-regulation-changes/
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Many years ago I was running my third apparel manufacturing plant. I had quit the first two for different reasons that aren't relevant to this post. What is relevant is the situation I found myself in.
I had taken a job that the management had failed to tell me that the company was near bankruptcy. The production floor was full of cuts (orders) that were months beyond their delivery dates. So I went to work showing the supervision on how to get those orders out the door with stringent quality standards that I implemented. After all, if it's not right the customers will just send it back and you have spent money for nothing. Which I found out after some investigation was one of the reasons they were behind. Many people were spending their day doing repairs!!
After removing most of the supervision for poor performance I promoted people that I knew could help me correct this joke of a production plant. My problem was that we did such a good job that we were working ourselves out of a job.
Fortunately, there was a merger in the works with another company that again the management above me was not sharing with me. The company had a type A president and a great sales force. These were some of the things that were sorely missing with this company. The president of the company that had hired me was well past his prime and the sales force was virtually non-existent. Hence, why my people and I were working ourselves out of a job. There were not enough orders to supply the production floor with work!!
The merger went through and things began a turn around that was a breath of fresh air. The company president and my boss, the VP of Manufacturing approached me and ask that I oversee the plant I had been running and the plant that was acquired in the merger. (Sidebar: One of the questions I was asked in my initial interview by that VP was what would be my goals if hired. I said to be sitting in that chair you are in. More on that later.)
We got on the fast track and in two years built a third plant. In a short period after the new plant started showing us a profit, it was decided to expand it and move corporate headquarters to it along with the embroidery department that I had established. I was made point man in refurbishing one of the older plants and doubling its size. In the next few months, I was contacted by that VP who had quit and offered a job with the company he had moved to.
I accepted his offer and resigned. The company president tried to talk me out of quitting. He said he had big plans and I was a big part of those plans. He offered a big increase in my salary and some other perks. I left anyway and moved to Indianapolis to take over as Director of Manufacturing.
After a year I decided that the move was one I regretted. I left and moved back to North Carolina and started my own consulting company.
While staying in a motel waiting to sell my house in Indianapolis, the company there heard I was back in the area and started aggressively pursuing me to return as their Manufacturing Director. A deal was reached and I did return and started establishing more manufacturing plants.
After a few years passed the company owners decided that they wanted to start up operations in Central America. Specifically in Costa Rica, Honduras, and El Salvador. I was promoted to VP of Offshore Apparel Manufacturing where I established plants in all three countries. (It was a different chair but I fulfilled what I had told that VP during the initial interview)
Now you may be asking why I started this blog with the Calin Coolidge quote. It's because I started my business journey on a shipping receiving dock unloading trucks. I have met more than my share of those type of people he talked about. But my persistence and determination got me from that dock to VP!!
As I look around at most of the young people today I have to hang my head and sigh deeply. If I had more of an emotional side I would also shed my share of tears.
Sunday, October 6, 2019
“They asked me if I’d like to debate this gentleman, and I said no. I said, ‘If we were in high school, I’d take him behind the gym and beat the hell out of him.’”
Joe Biden
And the Democrats are peace lovers.
Just ask the Antifa group.
Joe Biden
And the Democrats are peace lovers.
Just ask the Antifa group.
Impeach the POTUS! He violated national security! Biden says he only did what he was told to do. Who told you? Only the POTUS at the time could have done that. You were the Vice President. So the POTUS told you to get the prosecutor in Ukraine fired? Here's his confession: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXA--dj2-CY
Now the fact that the prosecutor was investigating the company that his son was on the board of and knocking down a $50,000 a month salary had nothing to do with his glee, as shown in the video, and of course the fact that his son had no qualifications to be on that board except the fact that his father was VP of the United States, had nothing to do with anything. wink wink.
The fact that the Democrat's and others with Trump Derangement Syndrom have been beating the bushes to find a way to take out the president. He is different. He is working to drain the swamp. The cooked alligators don't like this. In fact, they fear that he is chipping away at doing just that.
Wasn't it reported some time back that Pelosi and her hubby gained a lot financially from her position and as a swamp dweller had the support of her fellow dwellers? Isn't she the one that took MANY trips home on government planes and in many cases had family members travel with her: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/25/air-pelosi-watchdog-revisits-house-speakers-hefty-/ Didn't her swamp dweller cronies reelect her to the speaker in the face of this? This is one of the examples that the dwellers do not want to give up.
As for the current move to impeach the POTUS. They investigated him for years and found nothing. Was he trying to 'dig up dirt'? Or was he simply trying to expose another swamp dweller that has been in office since Jesus was a pup and has nothing to show for it except helping a family member out of a bad situation that could have been very embarrassing and potentially ruining his, Hunters, future career? Let's set aside his admitted drug addiction. Daddy may be able to fix that too in a pinch.
Bottom line. You have to decide for yourself. As has been said many times, are you better off today than 3 years ago?
Saturday, October 5, 2019
I have heard most of my life that you should limit your egg intake. Mainly because they are bad for your heart. High in cholesterol you know. Something that tastes so good and will go with several dishes is bad for you if not taken in moderation. Shucks!! Then I stumbled on this article. But then, they tell you this is good for you and someone else comes along and says that is bad for you! Drives me crazy!!
Here's another link sent to me by a friend:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-many-eggs-should-you-eat
After eating up these articles, pun intended, I have a better understanding that there is a God. I can enjoy my eggs with an enjoyable side, such as bacon or sausage or ham or sausage gravy or toast with jam. The delectable combinations seem to be endless.
In fact, one large hard-boiled egg contains:
- Vitamin A: 6% of the RDA
- Folate: 5% of the RDA
- Vitamin B5: 7% of the RDA
- Vitamin B12: 9% of the RDA
- Vitamin B2: 15% of the RDA
- Phosphorus: 9% of the RDA
- Selenium: 22% of the RDA
- Eggs also contain decent amounts of vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B6, calcium and zinc
There is more. Just read the articles and if you are an egg lover such as I am, you will walk away stepping on clouds and whistling your favorite tune.
So scramble a few for me and pass the English muffin and marmalade.
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