Intelligence of Youth or Wisdom of Age

     In many countries elders are revered for their wisdom but in the USA it seems youth is valued for their enthusiasm while the wisdom of age is ignored.  There is no denying that much can be accomplished by the enthusiasm of youth but without the guidance of wisdom, the enthusiasm could lead them down the wrong path. Not to say that everyone with age is wise but while the young can be intelligent they are not old enough to have the wisdom of life.  It would be prudent for the intelligent youth of today to seek out the wisdom of the elders when dealing with extreme situations.  Our enthusiast youth however must be wary of those elders that self promote their own agendas.

     I don't mean to sound preachy but right now there are many of our youth listening to the wrong advisors that are leading them down the wrong path toward violence. Things can be resolved in a positive way in our society but they don't happen with violence.   Actually, many things have already changed over the years for the betterment of humanity.  Recently, we all have stepped backward in time losing precious ground in positive race relationships and communication.

     You may have noticed a look of concern on elderly blacks, I have but I have not been bold enough to ask what they were thinking.  My guess is that they see the progress made in race relations over the past many years going down the drain in a matter of months due to the problems in Ferguson and other cities in the USA.  It is unlikely that anyone has ask the elderly for their advice which is truly a shame because their words of wisdom might help the young avoid disastrous pitfalls.  "Just Saying..."

Funny Miss-Communications

     Interesting and funny conversations may not be the most common but they certainly are the most interesting.

     We always enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune.  It was on TV when our kids were young so they seen it as well but I'm not sure how much they paid attention to it.  Our son is Patrick but we rarely use his full name, we just call him Pat.

     So one evening we are watching Wheel of Fortune and Pat ask "Who is that guy?"  Mimi's response was "Pat Sajak", Pat says "Jack", then he says "Who's that?" Mimi again says "Pat Sajak",  Pat says "Jack" then he says "Who's that?".  What is this an Abbott and Costello routine?  Mimi laughs as she now understands Pat was just doing what she asked, Pat took it literally when he heard his mom tell him to say Jack so that's what he did.  She quickly cleared up the confusion when she said explained that the name of the guy on the show is Pat Sajak.

     While working in my business renting advertising balloons I had partnered up on occasion with other companies.  Some of these owners in addition to renting advertising balloons also were balloon pilots and would book passengers for flights.

     One of the guys I worked with was Floyd, we helped each other out on occasion and because of that we were lucky to get a few rides in his Hot Air balloon.  Floyd frequently called and to leave a message but on one occasion someone in our household took a message and misspelled his name. The message read "Call Fly od". It was funny because just flipping one letter with a space changed his name in a humorous way.

     When I arrived home and saw the note I said "Who's Fly Odd". My mind just added the other d to complete the word.  Since Floyd was a balloon pilot it seemed like an interestingly appropriate nickname.  So from then on Floyd was forever known as Fly Odd at least in our family.

     I worked for McDonnell Douglas/ Boeing for 33 years and throughout those years we had a number of gatherings or after work parties.  Sometimes there would be people attending that you did not know.  So here is a conversation someone had at one of these parties.

     At one of these parties two people were standing together watching others in the room when one of the guys noticed three guys conversing across the room and ask the other, "Who's that standing next to Joe Grygiel?" the other guy answered,  "That's Charlie Hall",  the first guy then responded, "No the other guy"  the second person quickly answered "Oh! that's Charlie Hall, and again person one said "No, no the other guy".  You've sunk the hook now reel him in.  Sounds like another "Who's on first routine".  As you might now suspect there were 2 Charlie Hall's and they were both talking to Joe Grygiel.  That's just too funny.

     I'm sure there are many mis-communications in life, which cause problems between people but I look for the humorous ones to brighten my day.

My Religion versus Your Religion

      I was raised a Christian (Catholic) and as a young kid in grade school we had religion classes.  We were taught that the Catholic religion was the one true religion. Other religions were substandard so to speak; at least that's how I understood it.  This was confusing to me because was I just lucky to be born into the one true religion, how unfortunate for others born into a different religion.

     This statement left me with many questions.  What about those people who never had the opportunity to become Catholic or those that never even heard of Christianity?  Would they have a chance to enjoy eternal happiness?  What about the tribes that worshipped a pagan god or the sun?  When ask I was told the people from other religions could go to heaven but it would be a different type (lower level) heaven than Catholics, really, that doesn't sound fair.

     So here's my take on the subject.  Your religion is not any better than mine and mine is not any better than yours.  All religions are supposed to promote kindness and understanding for all, generally speaking, do good things and provide positive spiritual guidance. So if you belong to another religious denomination, which teaches you to live a better life then what's wrong with that; nothing as far as I can see. As long as you are inspired by something or someone to live good life then isn't that what all religions want.  Why all the competition between religions?  Shouldn't all religions have the same goal, teach you to live a good life so you can earn eternal happiness (whatever that means).  I can't believe that God as a particular religious affiliation, it just doesn't make any sense.

     One more thing you should know, all through history there have been religious wars which is troubling in itself but if you belong to a religion or religious faction that's main purpose is to promote violence, torture and hatred, it's not a religion; it's a terrorist group. That's pretty basic, if your religion tells you to torture and kill others you are a member of a terrorist organization.  




     I looked up the definition of religion on the Internet and was surprised to find no clear unopposed definition.  To simplify it says religion is the service and worship of God or the supernatural based on a set or system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and ways of doing things.  According to that definition a terrorist group could be classified as a religion, that's just wrong.  Nothing is said about doing good things or helping others which is rather disappointing because that is truly what I believe religion should be doing.  I like my definition better than what I read and I think that is what God intended.  "Just Saying...."

Hiking Mount Elbert (the tallest peak in Colorado)

   I have always liked physical challenges nothing dangerous, but challenging and fun.  This was also true of my buddy John.  We biked the Katy trail from end to end, hiked many trails including some in Arizona and New Mexico.  We were always interested in a challenge so John and I had trained for this hike all summer.  We were excited to have this challenge to hike the tallest peak in Colorado (one of the fourteeners).  We arrived the day before with our wives (Cindy & Mimi), this was our vacation but we were taking one day to hike Mount Elbert.

     We were staying in a hotel in Breckenridge, Colorado about a 30 minute drive from the mountain. We drove by the day before to be familiar the trailhead location, since we were planning on leaving early in the morning it would be dark when we arrived.

     I didn't sleep well, excited and nervous about the hike.  We got up early and ate a light breakfast (bagel with cream cheese) not wanting to feel weighed down by a big meal.  We each had our backpacks filled with the recommended equipment for this hike, figuring it's better to be over prepared than under. I remember it was cold & dark when we started up the trial, this would be an 8 mile hike (round trip) at a high altitude.  I started out wearing a light rain jacket, which kept the rain off but also kept the sweat in and in no time I was dripping with perspiration.  This was a mistake, which added to my anxiety.  We hiked at a good steady pace since we were told that we needed to reach the peak before noon so we would be headed down the mountain before the afternoon thunderstorms hit which apparently happened often.

     Once it got light I decided it would be a good idea to removed my jacket, I was feeling a little weak.  I had plenty of water in my camelback and was drinking as we hiked but I had sweated a lot out when my jacket was on.  This was a popular trail and although we started early we saw a few people on the trail, 2 mountain bikers, a few campers and other hikers including a slightly built lady that appeared to be in her 70's walking briskly past us both directions (it was obvious that this was a regular routine for her).  I could tell that John was feeling fine, much better than I was.  Despite this being a well-traveled trail there was still a chance that you might stumble upon a bear so we were always on the lookout.  John could tell I wasn't feeling good and he offered to carry my backpack, initially I refused then I accepted his offer a little before we reached the tree line.  The tree line is where the trees stop growing because they can't tolerate the environment.

     The scenery changed drastically once you got above the tree line, this is where we saw the campers, they had pitched their tents on the edge of the tree line.  The trail traversed back and forth but was easy to follow, but rocky and steep and with the thin air at this altitude it was harder to breathe.  We continued the hike but I was going at a much slower pace even though John was carrying my pack.  We had been informed about 2 false peaks on the mountain not to be confused with the actual peak containing a book you sign to document reaching the peak but unfortunately I was not in any shape to reach even the 1st false peak.  I had altitude sickness, which was totally unexpected because I had been skiing in Colorado many times and never imagined this happening.  I stopped climbing about 12500 feet.  I told John to go ahead and I would wait for him but John refused saying we were hiking together, he did decide hike up a short distance to the next turn to get some pictures but returned and we made our way back down.

    My buddy, John carried my backpack all the way down the mountain, thanks John.  Hiking down is not much easier because it's hard on your knees. We made it back to the trailhead but I did not feel any better, it would take until the next morning before I recovered.

     Even though I got altitude sickness I'm glad we took on this challenge.  Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the top but who knows someday we may try it again and I will be prepared to carry John's backpack if he needs help.

Accumulating Stuff or Experiences

   It seems many of us throughout life will accumulate many things and this stuff is important to us, at least at the time.  The thing is as I've gotten older I realize that what I find important is the experiences rather than the stuff I've collected.

     You might have had a really cool car at one time and if you think back about the car, what you are really remembering is the experiences (trips) you took with the car.  If you had a different car (less cool) and made the same trips your experiences would be just as memorable.  As a kid you may have had those favorite board games that you played with friends, or brand new bike that you rode all around but they would be worthless if you never opened the box to play them or never took your bike out of the garage.  There would be no joy from having this stuff because you would not have created any lasting memories.

     We all collect stuff but if for some reason that precious stash of stuff was lost or stolen the memories of the experiences you had while collecting, playing with or sharing your stuff is something that is not lost.  I love collecting memories, those times with family and friends, work experiences, random encounters with strangers and travel which opens your mind up to the unique and exciting differences in other cultures.

     Many memories are associated with things, which makes having things important but mainly because they bring back pleasant memories.  What's cool about memories is that you can make new memories everyday at any age.  There are no educational requirements, no physical test, no age limit,   no economic, cultural or race restrictions, almost anyone can make and collect memories.  I say almost because sadly Alzheimer's patients have created memories but those memories may no longer accessible to them.  Family and friends are the only ones that can keep those memories alive.

     I encourage everyone to write their memories down (at least some) because it is a way to stay connected with others.  Someday when you're sitting around with friends exchanging enchanting stories you will realize that the memories and stories of life bring you the most happiness, not the stuff you collected.  "Just Saying..."

A Creak (Screech) in the Night

     Have you ever been alone in your house and heard a disturbing creak in the night?  The logical part of your mind says there is nothing there but your emotions seem to challenge that.  "It's just the house settling", I say but the house has been here for 20 years when will it be done settling?  Why is it that I can be home alone during the day and never hear these odd creaks, does the house only settle at night?

     When we were first married, sometimes my wife (Mimi) would hear a disturbing creak and urge me to go see what it was.  I would always say "The house is just settling" but "What if it's something else?"  she would exclaim.  What would it be I wonder, a robber? Do I really want to find out?  Reluctantly, I get up to investigate the suspicious noise, tentatively walking through each room asking who was in there, not expecting or wanting an answer.  I'm not sure how I would have responded if someone yelled back saying "I'm here to rob and hurt you".  I suppose they wouldn't have answered, but just pounce on me.  I don't own any weapons of mass destruction, so would have had to use some hand tool (maybe a screwdriver or hammer) to persuade them to leave, thankfully nothing ever happened

    I do recall vividly one night that we heard a screech it the night instead of a creak.  A screech (you know that ear piercing horror movie sound) will make you jump out of bed.  We quickly determined it was the smoke alarm (no smoke), I reset it thinking it was a fluke, it wasn't and screeched again after we were sound asleep.  This time I disconnected it and laid it on the dresser, but once again it screeched, "How can that be?"  So I removed the backup batteries, but to my surprise it screeched again, "What the Hell, Is this a joke? Then we discovered it was the Radon monitor that was plugged in below the smoke alarm.  I removed it.  Since it was summer we opened the windows and went back to bed.  All is well.  That night we learned that a screech is much more disturbing than a creak.

     We are older now and for the most part ignore the creaks in the night; maybe we have become less skittish or concerned about the odd noises.  Just as long as we get a good night sleep they can take what they want, but please leave the coffee pot.