When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard
things were when they were growing up…yadda, yadda, yadda
And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way I was going to lay a
load like that on my kids about how hard I had it and how easy they’ve got it!
But now that I’m over the ripe old age of forty, I can’t help but look around and notice the
youth of today. You’ve got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood! And I hate to say it,
but you kids today, you don’t know how good you’ve got it!
1) I mean, when I was a kid we didn’t have the Internet. If we wanted to know something, we
had to go to the library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog!!
2) There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter – with a pen!
3) Child Protective Services didn’t care if our parents spanked us. As a matter of fact, the
parents of all my friends also had permission to spank us! Nowhere was safe!
4) There were no MP3′s or iTunes! If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the
record store and shoplift it yourself! Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio,
and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up!
6) We didn’t have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else
called, they got a busy signal, that’s it!
7) There weren’t any freakin’ cell phones either. If you left the house, you just didn’t make a
call or receive one. You actually had to be out of touch with your “friends”.
And we didn’t have fancy Caller ID either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was!
It could be your school, your parents, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, the collection
agent… you just didn’t know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!
11) There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning.
Do you hear what I’m saying? We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you spoiled little rat-
bastards!
12) And we didn’t have microwaves. If we wanted to heat something up, we had to use the
stove! Imagine that!
13) And our parents told us to stay outside and play… all day long. Oh, no, no electronics to
soothe and comfort. And if you came back inside… you were doing chores!
And car seats – oh, please! Mom threw you in the back seat and you hung on. If you were
lucky, you got the “safety arm” across the chest at the last moment if she had to stop
suddenly, and if your head hit the dashboard, well that was your fault for calling “shot gun” in
the first place!
9) We didn’t have any fancy PlayStation or Xbox video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics!
With games like ‘Space Invaders’ and ‘Asteroids’. Your screen guy was a little square!
And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster
until you died! Just like LIFE!
You kids today have got it too easy. You’re spoiled rotten! You guys wouldn’t have lasted five
minutes back in the 1970′s!
Regards, The Over 40 Crowd

When I had my gangrene gallbladder taken out and spent 10 days in the hospital
for what should have been an overnight stay the insurance company kicked me
out. I had home nurse visits for two weeks and was asked if I had guns in the
house. I responded that if I did I would not tell them. So this has some merit.
The nurse just kinda slipped it in along with all the other regular questions. I
told her I refused to answer because it was against the law to ask. Everyone,
whether you have guns or not, should give a neutral answer so they have no idea
who does and who doesn’t. My doctor asked me if I had guns in my house and
also if any were loaded. I, of course, answered yes to both questions. Then he
asked why I kept a loaded gun close to my bed. I answered that my son, who
is a certified gun instructor and also works for Homeland Security, advised me
that an unloaded, locked up gun is no protection against criminal attack. The
Government now requires these questions be asked of people on Medicare, and
probably everyone else.
Just passing this along for your information: I had to visit a doctor other than
my regular doctor when my doctor was on vacation.. One of the questions on
the form I had to fill out was: Do you have any guns in your house?? My answer
was None of your dern business!! So it is out there! It is either an insurance
issue or government intervention. Either way, it is out there and the second the
government gets into your medical records (as they want to under Obamacare) it
will become a major issue and will ultimately result in lock and load!! Please pass
this on to all the other retired guys and gun owners…
Thanks, from a Vietnam Vet and retired Police Officer: I had a doctors
appointment at the local VA clinic yesterday and found out something very
interesting that I would like to pass along. While going through triage before
seeing the doctor, I was asked at the end of the exam, three questions:1. Did I
feel stressed? 2. Did I feel threatened? 3. Did I feel like doing harm to someone?
The nurse then informed me, that if I had answered yes to any of the questions,
I would have lost my concealed carry permit as it would have gone into my
medical records and the VA would have reported it to Homeland Security.
Looks like they are going after the vets first. Other gun people like retired law
enforcement will probably be next. Then when they go after the civilians, what
argument will they have?
Be forewarned and be aware. The Obama administration has gone on record as
considering veterans and gun owners potential terrorists. Whether you are a gun
owner, veteran or not, YOU”VE BEEN WARNED ! If you know veterans and
gun owners, please pass this on to them. Be very cautious about what you say and
to whom.

What happened to my America? As I start to reach middle age, I sit and wonder, what happened to my America? When I was little everybody knew everybody, and everybody’s business, and if you were told to stop something you did stop because every body knew. What happened to my America? There were no colors of skin, and everybody played outside with everybody. There were those who were good fighters those who got beat up, and those that neither had to fight or get beat up. What happened to my America? We played outside from sun up to sun down, and never worried about who was riding down the street. A gang shooting would have been considered a water gun fight gone a-rye. What happened to my America? Families were the source of love and authority. They consisted of a mother, father, grandparents, uncles and aunts in control of you, your sisters and brothers. If one told you something it was the same as if you were told by your parents. What happened to my America? People were proud to an American, and we said the pledge loud and proud and dared anyone to stop us. We had prayer in schools every morning regardless of religious views. Children respected their elders and when asked to do something they did it for fear of what their parents might do not if but when they found out. What happened to my America? Today we have children raising children and grandparents trying to raise their children’s children. Children think they are entitled to everything without putting forth an effort, and parents who are best friends with their children instead of being parents. Nobody knows their neighbors much less will give them the time of day. Children are expected to be given everything just because they want it, and if not parents use inappropriate colorful language or the threat of suing to get what their children want. What happened to my America? Let me tell you. We have gotten away from family values, such as a hard days work for a days pay. Elders are to be valued and not treated like dirt. Parents are parents first and friends later. Families shared values and talked around the dinner table. And last but not least, America was the home of the free because there are men, & women who are willing to give their lives so that those spoiled rotten self entitled children might have a chance at a better life. That’s what has happened to my America!
Yeah Baby!
Tammy W

He doesn’t kiss his wife good morning before
he leaves, he doesn’t hug his kids good bye, or let them hug him
hello, he sleeps in a different bed than his wife, doesn’t play tea
party with his little girl, or play catch with his son, he didn’t even
attend his oldest sons graduation this yr. He don’t cut the grass
for his wife or help with the dishes he doesn’t wash the car or
his …truck. he doesn’t hang out with his child hood friends, no
he really don’t do much around the house. Now before you get
judgmental (on this dead beat dad) know what he does. HE blows
his wife a kiss over the cpu screen, he tells his children he loves
them over skype as a tear runs down his face. Every night he
reaches for a woman who isn’t there, watches home videos of his
little girl playing tea party with a smile. listens to his youngest son
excitingly tell him about his base ball game! And on a calm night
wrote his oldest son a letter telling him how proud he was at the
man he had become(again with a tear in his eyes.) You see this
man is a U.S. soldier and is deployed giving up all his freedoms
and his family so we can live free and experience what he is
missing with our family. I feel we owe the AMERICAN soldier
AND their familys a great debt and a huge thank- you for all they
have done past and present! Question is do we as Americans
at this time and point deserve his sacrfices? Remember only 2
people every offered thier life for yours at no cost to you, JESUS
CHRIST and the AMERICAN SOLDIER!
Thanks for reading
Billy G Harp JR

Hello and a sincere congratulations!
High school graduation? How exciting for you, how long ago for me, but I still remember how grown up I felt back then. Life is just beginning for you, yet it will be quite a few years before you understand how true that is. From your perspective today, I understand this is the end of a long road, with so many victories won, and sadly some challenges best forgotten. Understanding that and accepting either with honor, fire and determination is what gives you the foundation & focus to face a bright future. I’m happy to have known you in these last few years of your childhood, and I share in your loving parent’s pride when I think of the man you’re about to become. I feel good for my country when I’m reminded we’re leaving her in the hands of capable young men like you, coming in our wake. Find a way within yourself to blend love with strength, kindness with courage, and love of friends and family with love of country. Leave every campsite better than you found it, and leave your children a better country than you were given. We’ve tried to do those things for you. Time will tell if we’ve succeeded. The gate of life is opening, and on the other side….well…it’s all up to you.

Go get ‘em and good luck!!
Uncle Moby

-
Fifty-year old manure spreader.
Not sure of brand. Said to have been produced in
Kenya . Used for a few years in Indonesia before being
smuggled into the US via Hawaii . Of questionable
pedigree. Does not appear to have ever been worked
very hard. Apparently it was pampered by various
owners over the years. It doesn’t work very often, but
when it does it can really spread the manure and sling
it for amazing distances. I am hoping to retire this
manure spreader next November. But I really don’t
want it hanging around getting in the way. I would
prefer a foreign buyer that is willing to relocate this
manure spreader out of the country. I would be willing
to trade this manure spreader for a nicely framed
copy of the United States Constitution. Location:
Washington , D.C.

Dear Moby,
You know how you talk about when some people don’t try to better
themselves and they stay on/in “The System” (Food Stamps & Medicaid)
for multiple generations? Well, I have one that is gonna really
rile you up!!!
I know a couple of families that play “the system” so well they get
their housing and all the amenities, ie: power, water and even the
cable is paid. How you ask? They will pay their rent for 1 month til
they get an eviction notice take it to the housing authorities in that
county and BAM! Free housing.
Mind you, it is in the projects. But, of course, they don’t care
because ALL gets paid for them until they get kicked out because they
are too lazy to mow the grass or do lawn/building maintenance or
some other 30 minute mindless job as was speculated when given the 2
bedroom apartment.
Both families have 2 kids, a husband & wife, not a thing is wrong
with any of them. But they run to the ER at least once a month (who
foots that bill, WE DO). They go from one county to another making
their rounds through north GA with both housing and hospitals. As soon
as the housing runs out (usually lasts 3-6 months) they’ll live with
parents until they can get enough money from selling the drugs from
the ER visits to rent a real apartment for a month just to get another
eviction notice.
Once an ER stops giving them narcotics they start bad mouthing that
hospital, saying how sorry and horrible a hospital it was. But, while
they are getting what they want for a hurt back, or kidney infection,
or an ingrown toenail it is the best place around.
And by the way, both sets of parents also go to the local pain clinic
once a month and get 260 Lortab 10′s on top of that.
You tell me who has it made in this world? THOSE who WON’T do for
themselves and EXPECTS the REST of US to do it for THEM!?! OR, US that
struggles and pays OUR OWN way WITHOUT our hands out?????????
My life may be a lot harder but it is more rewarding AND satisfying to
know my husband and I have worked together for OUR HOUSE, OUR LAND,
and OUR CARS, and the VACATIONS we are still fortunate to take
together after 28 years of marriage.
I won’t lie it is a struggle sometimes, but we FIND a way to pay for
it if it means working overtime, selling woodwork, or mowing extra
yards.
WE WILL PAY FOR IT!!! ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL!!!
This is my “Small Town Soap Box”
Just thought I would give you this insight on how some people try and
do beat the system
Thanks for listening, Cousin & “Yeah Baby”
K. Smith, Adairsville, GA

WELCOME TO HOLLAND by
Emily Perl Kingsley.
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability – to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It’s like this…… When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation trip – to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting. After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, “Welcome to Holland.” “Holland?!?” you say. “What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy.” But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven’t taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It’s just a different place. So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. It’s just a different place. It’s slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around…. and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills….and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts. But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy… and they’re all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say “Yes, that’s where I was supposed to go. That’s what I had planned.” And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away… because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But… if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things … about Holland.

All day long I had been very busy; picking up trash, cleaning bathrooms and scrubbing floors. My grown children were coming home for the weekend. I went grocery shopping and prepared for a barbecue supper, complete with ribs and chicken. I wanted everything to be perfect.
Suddenly, it dawned on me that I was dog-tired. I simply couldn’t work as long as I could when I was younger. “I’ve got to rest for a minute,” I told my husband, Roy, as I collapsed into my favorite rocking chair. Music was playing, my dog and cat were chasing each other and the telephone rang.
A scripture from Psalm 46 popped into my mind. “Be still, and know that I am God.” I realized that I hadn’t spent much time in prayer that day. Was I too busy to even utter a simple word of thanks to God? Suddenly, the thought of my beautiful patio came to mind. I can be quiet out there, I thought. I longed for a few minutes alone with God.
Roy and I had invested a great deal of time and work in the patio that spring. The flowers and hanging baskets were breathtaking. It was definitely a heavenly place of rest and tranquility. If I can’t be still with God in that environment, I can’t be still with Him anywhere, I thought. While Roy was talking on the telephone, I slipped out the backdoor and sat down on my favorite patio chair. I closed my eyes and began to pray, counting my many blessings.
A bird flew by me, chirping and singing. It interrupted my thoughts. It landed on the bird feeder and began eating dinner as I watched. After a few minutes it flew away, singing another song.
I closed my eyes again. A gust of wind blew, which caused my wind chimes to dance. They made a joyful sound, but again I lost my concentration on God. I squirmed and wiggled in my chair. I looked up toward the blue sky and saw the clouds moving slowly toward the horizon. The wind died down. My wind chimes finally became quiet.
Again, I bowed in prayer. “Honk, honk,” I heard. I almost jumped out of my skin. A neighbor was driving down the street. He waved at me and smiled. I waved back, happy that he cared. I quickly tried once again to settle down, repeating the familiar verse in my mind. Be still and know that I am God.
“I’m trying God. I really am,” I whispered. “But you’ve got to help me here.”
The backdoor opened. My husband walked outside. “I love you,” he said. “I was wondering where you were.” I chuckled, as he came over and kissed me, then turned around and went back inside.
“Where’s the quiet time?” I asked God. My heart fluttered. There was no pain, only a beat that interrupted me yet again. This is impossible, I thought. There’s no time to be still and to know that God is with me. There’s too much going on in the world and entirely too much activity all around me.
Then it suddenly dawned on me. God was speaking to me the entire time I was attempting to be still. I remembered the music playing as I’d begun my quiet time. He sent a sparrow to lighten my life with song. He sent a gentle breeze. He sent a neighbor to let me know that I had a friend. He sent my sweetheart to offer sincere sentiments of love. He caused my heart to flutter to remind me of life. While I was trying to count my blessings, God was busy multiplying them.
I laughed to realize that the “interruptions” of my quiet time with God were special blessings He’d sent to show me He was with me the entire time

I don’t know WHY I didn’t figure this out sooner! I use
shampoo in the shower!
When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole
body, and printed very clearly on the shampoo label is this
warning:
“FOR EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY” No wonder I have
been gaining weight!
Well! I have gotten rid of that shampoo, and I am going to
start showering with Dawn dish soap instead.
Its label reads, “DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE
DIFFICULT TO REMOVE”
Problem solved! If I don’t answer the phone, I’ll be in the
shower!