27 July 2013

(In response to article "US Students need better words than LOL and BFF")

Power is not gold, power is KNOWLEDGE and vocabulary skills follow reading comprehension.  That made me think on SOS school 1958 in Montgomery, Alabama.  Speed reading and speed writing courses taught.

I took speed reading: WPM 260, comprehension 35%.  This is not good.  At the end of the speed reading course almost 500 WPM and comprehension went up to almost 60%.  So there you have it.  I could comprehend more, almost twice as much.  That was in 1958.  This is July 2013.  55 years ago.  What advancements have been made in speed reading and comprehension and that would mean POWER and if you Warriors remember I told you to (as soon as you get a position in some company/enterprise) get a copy of the SOP's, the company book on how to do the work they want, because no one READS the book of instructions.

I believe your next move-that if you don't like the words-you submit your own and offer them as a "change to improve the SOP's (standard operating procedures)" then up the ladder of success you went.

OK, so stupid me....What is LOL and BFF?

Turn off the TV and have your children read a book.  As I recall, Tom and NanC no TV for 3 children and to date how many books have they studied and what do they remember and apply in their daily lives? Oh me. I believe they love books.  WOW.  There is no stopping someone who is well read.

I remember in Trabsay? Turkey I met with an LDS airman.  We shared some good times together and we met in the library.  Shared some great moments there not just religious discussions.  1965-68.  He was reading great books someone (where he was stationed in the states) told him, "You will be gone for one year then on the coast of the Black Sea.  Here is a list of 84 great books."  I wish now, as I did then why did I not get that list? He gave it to me but when I got back to Germany I could not find the list then he was transferred.  I lost contact with him.  I'll bet if you go to a library and ask one fo those workers, maybe an old very old grey hair worker just ask them.  I'll bet there are more books added to that list.  Hey that was 48 years ago-ok.  The list must be 84 x 10 now.

My input to new Warriors is ONE first after all the scriptures-Old, New, Book of Mormon, D&C, Pearl of Great Price, Jesus the Christ-there is one I cared a lot about, Music in Western Civilization by Lang.  Our music played a part in our civilizations history, trade, commonwealth, a myriad of areas that effected and affected mankind.  Read this one too, it's not an easy read but will make you become a better musician in all forms of musical expression.

Which brings me back to reading.  I agree it's SO much fun.  I am very happy I can see well, my vision today is near 20/20 without glasses.

Love to all,
Grandpa, Pops, the Old Geezer
Love U!
xxxooo

10 July 2013

Whittling wood and making a whistle with my dad in the woods about 1938-39.  All my life I would see men at dad's service station just sitting there whittling wood making "stuff".  Amazing to me! as a young boy.

Dad cut a green branch from a hazelnut bush.  The key is to have the bark 360 degrees move no knots so it will slide.  Then notch a V, cut out and blow air 360 degrees between bark and wood so it slides easy.  It will make a sound to use to help your friend.  A lost friend.  Survival help.

Operation Sage Brush C-119
We supported along with other C-199's there at Randolph AFB all over the SE USA for 4 days hauling troops.  Troops that jumped from aircrafts and load other passengers/cargo from San Antonio to Valdosta, Georgia.  We were a crew of 8 all together walking down a paved street curb-side walk with mom and pop shops-a negro alone is coming at us all 2-3 abreast on the sidewalk.  He steps in the street and continues towards us and speaks, "Good evening gentlemen." We reply "Good evening." When in a little more distance he moves back on the sidewalk.  Hmmm... I've never in my life experienced anything like this before in my life.  Hmmmm.....

After 0100 midnight to 4AM to an army base near Murfreesboro, Tennessee in the next afternoon we are free will fly at night back to San Antonio.  There is the center of town.  Our instructor had been to this town before so it was a guided tour with him telling of these people and what really impressed him.  All around the court house were out the door bunches with ?? married- 5 or 6 people, we could sit here and watch people in their walk abouts.  He told us not to start conversations just nod your head and be respectful.  If the whittler speaks to you, it's ok to talk to him.  Lot's of men (no women) just sitting there busy in their work of whittling wood.  One man making a chain out of a tree branch, a long stick. Just so much.  Wow I've never seen so much whittling going on at one time at one place in all my living.  It was a quiet time.  Some men were taking a practice nap.  Canes decorated, all items so beautiful things.

Whenever my dad would make something he would give it away.  He must have made 20-30 of those wood hazelnut branch whistles maybe 1/2 inch or a little smaller.  Slide bark it was.  What happened to them?

Next time you're in Murfreesboro, Tennessee take time to watch these old and young whittlers making beautiful "stuff" out of wood there on the benches in front of the courthouse. (All white building).

01 July 2013

(In response to an article "Take life insurance in your own hands-Term policy plus mutual fund might be best strategy")

Dear Ones,
So what will your family do if you are not here.  Tomorrow you are gone.  What is your plan to have them help themselves? Your options are:
1. Do nothing.
2. Do something.
3. Everyone has to have a will and all the legal documents that go with the will to protect your life's work.  The boy scouts were correct.  BE PREPARED.  This is your life, your time is today to take action.  All Weiland Warriors DO THIS.

I sold this stuff for a time in San Antonio licensed by the state of Texas, worked my way up to RVP at Primerica company.

Who in the world cares more about you than the mirror? When I did this in 1979-89 it's now for you to know.
1. 90% of life insurance sold in the world was sold in the US.
2. Most loud in US outside government were insurance companies.
3. Insurance companies bet you are going to LIVE and you bet you are going to DIE.
4. Who in this world care more about your money than you? Only you and the mirror.
5. So please understand TERM is the only kind you should buy.  NOTHING ELSE EVER! and some day you may have so much money you will not need any insurance.

OK, When you buy term you RENT that amount for 30 days.  So it's $50-100 or more or less.  You MUST be full of the program to keep your body near 100% HEALTH so that easy.  The Word of Wisdom you have been part of your upbringing so if you follow that plan your life will be long and full of good living.  If using your free will (only men and women can will and reason) no other living thing can do that! (Down the chain of living things it's called condition reflex.) So you decide how to care for your body.  The insurance company "actuary" is the group in the insurance company that KNOWS exactly the day +/- a few days that you will die.  That's their job.  If you smoke, do drugs, boogie it up and tell the truth to the insurance company you pay a higher rate for $____ because you are going to die sooner.  They then do what from day one.  They take your money, invest it, make a profit on hour money and live in a big house, drive a big car and take a vacation every month for about 10 days each and every month.  Hey.  Why did I give them my money so they can use my money to make a profit.

Ok, so what we did was (1980) say $100 is what you have in your budget for insurance.  We took $50 and you had, for 20 years, a $500,000 plan with goal of $100,000 in your investment plan.  This would give your wife $1,000 a month forever and still leave the $100,000.  We then take the other $50 and invest it into mutual funds.  Short need, long term stuff.  It grows, you never touch it.  It's your money you invest and you can buy/sell as you want.  This program will grow.  It is about 7% +/- since George Washington times more or less.  Just keep trucking.

Do you did OK.  Dead $500,000 + $1,000 a month + what the mutual funds, stocks, bonds and she can work some part time and home or whatever she is full of passion for.  An ice cream ?? will do just fine.  If you buy anything else these insurance people will fool you, take advantage of you.  They do just fine.  Because people trust them.  The words they use will trick you.

All Weiland Warriors are smarter than that.  If you want to ask me more, I am still here.  It's 01 July 2013.  Just buy term and invest the difference.  Emergency fund 1st. 6 months pay in cash. 100% debt free.  0 credit cards.  No loans. Pay cash for everything.  You can barter.  Americans are the the worst barter people in this world.  We just accept the stated printed price.  Never do this.  People can't say no unless you ask them.

29 May 2013

(In response to an article, USA TODAY, "Best Ice Cream Parlors in the World")

1. Luxurious treat for the elite ups until 1800s when ice houses were invented.
2. Also called sorbet, gelato, frozen custard, ices.  Names vanilla then plain, cone sandwiches to floats, sundaes and spectrum is continuing to expand across the globe.
3. Blue Bell near Houston, Texas.  Best, I believe.  Close to home, cows are hormone free.  Must be the key!
4. Toppings.  Everything you can think of even catsup.
5. My most memorable time to eat ice cream 1963-65.  Pshauar Pakistan, CIA compound edge of city-night.  Dinner for our crew.  Chuck Empy.  Great mormon friend from Adona Turkey, Peshaoor Pakistan and Frankfurt Germany.  Well, after this meal we all went for a walk about in the back yard there. "Watch out for critters." But just as we get into the backyard, Chuck fires his dum dum cannon (it's in OLD books, a toy one and then water buffalo milk.  The butter milk content must be not big 10,000) But noise and anyway that home crank wooden USA metal.  Three paks were cranking these manual machines, we all maybe 20+ of us just stared in the dark, but bright starlit night sky!
It was about 90 degrees but there is no question that was one time that I was so....felt good all over.  In this place, just about if you drilled a hole thru the earth was almost 1/2 way around the world from San Antonio, Texas.  The stars were so close.  Quiet words in 2 different languages.  To me, no English for a time.  I truly enjoyed this ice cream.  So cold.  Home made.  I ate TWO servings.  What a neat adventure for me and now here I am sharing this memory with you.  I don't think I ever told you "My time with the CIA eating home made ice cream not too far from the Kyber Pass."

The LIST:
1. Fenocchio, Nice France
2. Bar Gelatetia, Erccole? Pizzo Italy
3. Vipiteno Galeria, Sao Paulo Brazil
4. Antico Caffe Spirnato, Palermo Italy Sicily
5. Big Gay Ice Cream, New York City
6. Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream, Seattle (Tom and NanC, have you taken the team to this place? It must be on the requirement list.)
7. Perche No!, Florence Italy
8. Murphy's, Dingle Ireland
9. Bi-Rite Creamery, San Francisco
10. Vaffelbageriet, Copenhagen Denmark
11. The Creamery, Capetown South Africa
12. Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, Ohio and Nashiville, TN
13. Eddie's Sweet Shop, Forest Hills NY
14. A M Scannapieco, Buenos Aires Argentina
15. Simmo's Ice Creamery, Dunsborough Australia

Hmmmm... Blue Bell is not here is it? But it could be.....

12 May 2013

(In response to an article, "What is the greatest invention? Duct Tape.  It's like the force.  It has a light side and a dark side and it holds everything together." by Ricky Loveland, Jr.)

If you were all here, write down what you believe (at your age) what it is (the greatest invention) and why you believe this is the greatest invention in the history of mankind?

Then if you have time tell us in some way.  A written note, email, skype, or eye to eye.  Each person will be so unique.  I believe you know from their life experiences to this Mother's Day 2013. I recall for it was your mother who loved you before you were born, who carried you close to her heart and then passed through the Valley of the Shadow of Death to give you life which you have accepted as a matter of course without any emphasis of appreciation or conscience gratitude as you've grown older.

Ask each person alone, in private so one will not feed off another one, a true measure of each Warriors thinking at this one on one with your.  Here a true measure of what each Warrior believes at this moment-this 12th day of May 2013.

Yes indeed-Moms are special and once each year is not enough for sure to do what mom wants.  This is a want, not a need.  Of course there is a big difference between these two.  Im in Dairy Queen getting Fran a surprise cause it's Mother's Day.  A big man stands behind me in line and orders a big ice cream cake.  I said, "Your wife is really special for you" He butts in, "No sir.  Not for my wife.  This is for my mom.  I asked her what she wanted for Mother's Day and she said Ice Cream Cake from Dairy Queen."  Then I said, "Are you going to test it first to make sure it's just right?" He said, "No.  This my mother will really enjoy.  Maybe she will share."  We smiled and walked away.  Go to my sweet Frances.

-Pop


15 May 2013

Dear Warriors,
This is one tough question for me.  The wheel, make and control fire, Hmmmm..... How about the first DIODE (did I spell that correctly).  Look at what Benjamin Franklin did, the ability to record ideas.

The greatest invention, you all know this story, stuff has been there all the time.  Man (who can will and reason-no other living thing can do that-what these other living things can do is called conductive reflex) Ok so Man will and reasons either inductively or deductively and he discovers what was there all the time.  Hmmm..... Who is it that does not believe in _____? Hmmm... How about finding and organizing and recording DNA.  How about aides for the eyes so we can see 20/20.  In all your life experiences you have become what you are today the sum of your family, mom and dad, and here you are today. Now what will you do with what has been given you and your fine tuned abilities to be able to do so many things SO WELL.

Maybe it was the very first ice cream.  I wonder who and where.  Or was it an accident. Some inventions appear when those searching on something else and WOW!  Something brand new.  NASA from it's first day has discovered a big invention generator that has helped mankind the world over.

Well, what in your life experience in your mind has been the greatest invention to help all of mankind? Please tell me.

-Pop

10 March 2013

I Am Bored-Nothing to Do!!

Boring is not part of the Weiland Warrior lifestyle.  If you want to do nothing, then change your name and leave our tribe, if on the other hand you elect never to ever use or to "be bored" you are a true blue Weiland Warrior.

I am bored! Not in this family.  I wish I had something to do. Oh.  Okay.  Why don't you read letters that our second president, what was his name, that's correct-John Adams.  He wrote to Thomas Jefferson (oh your third president) the two exchanged letters which are VERY interesting for you even in this day 2013! Go ahead, read one and see if you like it!

Adams to Jefferson letter so interesting.  Any subject you can think of you will find in your local library, maybe even the library in your very own home.  Everyone has access to a computer, iPad, iPod or what some electric machine.

Just click on ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA or National Geographic and in your lifetime you can never read all the subjects they have information about which then with this knowledge you, a famous Weiland Warrior, can go out there in this world and do great things to help.  Even help Mother Nature.

To be bored is not who we are.

Love you all
Grandpa-the old Geezer-Pops
xxxooo

26 April 2013

George Jones just passed away yesterday.  Congestive heart failure.

Delia, our good friend from San Antonio (since 1956) is at Tropicana.  We visit, have lunch then Fran and I stop to play.  I go get change.  George Jones slides in and sits next to Fran.  I return as he is walking away.  She said we talked a little.  A good old western singer who was like no other.  Ha.  I saw his backside only. Late 1990's-2002