Cactus Jack Calder

Timing: Not in the military, shortly after my hitch, where I learned the skill. I was co-opted to attend a “Continuing Education Session”. My co-workers tell me that I appeared to have fallen asleep when the instructor made a misstatement of fact. Without raising my head or opening my eyes I raised my hand. When acknowledged by name I pointed out the error, gave the correct facts and there after remained in repose. At the end of the session several friends asked me, ‘how’d you do that?’ I asked them “Do what?” That was the joke of the office for the rest of the week. I never admitted that I was “completely awake” all the time. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. CJ

This reminded me of an incident in my life from a long time ago. Miami Seaquarium In the summer of 1968 my new wife (only one ever, honest) and I visited the state of Florida. We had flow into Miami and decided to visit the Seaquarium before traveling on to see relatives. At that time they had a tank with Orcas that performed with human trainers. The tank had viewing windows below the waterline so that you could see the whales swim. As we were looking at the whales swim by, we were joined by a young father with two sons. One youngster was riding Dad’s shoulders while his slightly old brother walked in front. Just as we reached one of the windows a whale swam by the window with its’ belly against the glass. As the white underside slid past a fairly long appendage slipped out of an opening in the skin. Both boys immediately noticed this object. The younger son exclaimed while pointing at the appendage, “Daddy, Daddy what’s that?” As the father tried to mumble a reply and marshal the boys quickly along, the older brother replied at the top of his voice, “I think I.. know what that is!” The rest of the exchange between father and children was lost in the sound of laughter from my wife and myself. Good memories of long ago times. CJ

In PA it’s: ” Too soon oldt, too late Shmardt”. My wife’s family was from Eastern PA, Carbon County. They had many sayings like this. I loved visiting Grammy and Pappy. I still use, “Outen the light” with my Grandkids. CJ

I have an original. It was my Dad’s. I also have mine from the 50’s. Now I need to find them. I know they are safely stored somewhere. What I really need to do is make sure my children and grandchildren don’t throw them away when I’m gone. CJ

Wal them Nau’Lins folks is some Frenchy. CJ

That’s sort of similar to the “unhoused” discussion. We don’t want to offend anyone. WHO COULD BE OFFENDED BY WRITING “Coffee tree or Tea tree”? Maybe the people who grow Chicory. I’ve read it was sometimes used as a substitute or extender for coffee. After looking it up Chicory appears to be a leafy plant whose roots can be roasted and used to make a caffeine free coffee substitute, and you can buy it on the big ‘A’. Seems to be a French thing. Nuf said! CJ

I don't normally speak that way. I was just quoting from one of my favorite movies, "My Cousin Vinny". Though I have used 'Hinky' long before NCIS had Abi using it. CJ

Well, my misspent yout began in the 50's and continued into the early 60's. I won't admit how old I am, but I'm sure I'm not alone in that demographic. Fancy word, huh? CJ

I’ve known that word since my early misspent yout. Hinky is indeed a situation or object that is not “right” as in suspect or just plain hinky! CJ

This picture made me “Alpo” wonder, when we’re caterpillar tracks invented. Looked it up on Wiki. The stiff mechanism was first given a physical form by Hornsby & Sons in 1904 and then made popular by Caterpillar Tractor Company, with tanks emerging during World War I. Today, they are commonly used on a variety of vehicles, including snowmobiles, tractors, bulldozers, excavators and tanks. Interesting! CJ

Ditto CJ

True, but it seems to me a young person would be able to see the difference on an analog clock, where all they would see on a digital would be the current reading. If the person is not educated enough to know it is one hour difference the digital clock shows no relationship to alternate times zones. An analog clock gives them the opportunity to view the alternate time zone reading. I’m not saying they would understand it, just that it might be easier to visualize. It is true that education seems to be lacking in this instance. I’m just having fun busting the younger generations. CJ

That may be true. I’m an EE so I do not claim to know that much about Mechanical Engineering. It seemed logical at the time. However, what I wrote is in fact what I was told by at least two parties. One each from either side of the incident. Also, the cable was being replaced as I saw it stretched out across the first floor lobby in all it’s greasy splendor. As I said, “That’s the truth said I know it.” Incidentally, no offense was taken nor intended in my reply. It’s just a recounting of an incident that occurred during my younger years. CJ

Maybe they just need to be taught how an analog clock works. It seems to me that many young people can only read a digital clock display. I know I had to teach my Grandchildren how to read an analog clock and what half past, quarter til, 5 of, etc. mean. This was when they were just beginning to learn to tell time at public school. They are teenagers now. They can read analog clocks, understand and speak 24 hour time nomenclature, even from a 12 hour clock face. I was surprised to find that their school had digital display clocks in the classroom. I thought at the time the school system was too underfunded to replace all the analog clocks in each classroom. It just seemed logical to keep the analog clocks so that the children could be multi clock lingual. But what do I know about modern things. I still have a Windows 7 Computer I use for word processing, even though it cannot be updated or see the internet without a cable. CJ