10 Things Your Ancestors Did Better Than You-- Part 2: Manners and Learning

5.  Have manners  (I'll second that, maybe third it.)

4.  Build

3.  Teach and learn.

2.  Create art.

1.  Have fun.

Go to the site to find out why they listed these items.

You mean you can have fun without an internet device?  Holy Cow as Harry would say.

Manners, What Manners?  --RoadManners

DID YOU KNOW:  "Underground" is the only word in the English language that begins and ends with the letters "und."   Mind-boggling.

10 Things Your Ancestors Did Better Than You-- 1: Save the Planet and Live Within Their Means

From the November 20, 2019, Listverse by Jamie Frater.

I just listing them, but you can go to the site and see why they said what they did.

10.  Save the planet.   (Hint:  no plastic)

9.  Live within their means.  (Boy is that true. Charge, charge, charge, declare bankruptcy, then repeat.

8.  Improve their mind.  (Through books)

7.  Eat

6.  Exercise.

Well Worth a Read.  --RoadDog

DID YOU KNOW:  The word "set" has more definitions than any other word in the English language.

Living In Today's World: Getting Older

From the March 17, 2017, Shoe comic strip.

Shoe and another bird are sitting in Roz's Roost.

1.  The other bird says:  "I've noticed a lot of things have changed as I've grown older."  Shoe looks at him and says:  "Such as..."

2.  The other bird:  "For one, when I was younger, the lids on jars weren't screwed on as tightly as they are now."

I Second That.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  Your lips are permanently stuck in the sipping position.

Living In Today's World: Nobody Important On THAT Phone

From the January 6, 2017 Family Circus comic strip.

The father has called his son saying he has a phone call.  The little son is walking into the room where his dad is holding the receiver of a landline telephone out to him.  Son:  ""It can't be anybody important if it's on that phone."

Laughed So Hard I Cried.  --RoadDog

Living In Today's World: Relics From a By-Gone Age

From the January 7, 2017, Dustin comic strip.

1.  Dustin's younger sister is in a calendar store and says to the clerk:  "I'd like to return this calendar I got for Christmas, please."  Clerk replies:  "Of course."

2.  Sister:  "I'll never use it.  Paper calendars are like pencils or stationery.  They're relics from a bygone age."
Clerk:  "We can give you store credit."

3.  Sister:  "What am I going to do with credit at the calendar store?"  Clerk:  "We also sell paper and pencils."

Gotcha.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  The Starbucks owns the mortgage to your house.

Living In Today's World: About Those Little Gas Company Flags

From the February 9, 2017, Speed Bump comic strip.

Two ladies are standing in a cemetery over a recently dug grave which has small red flags flying all around the edges.  One turns to the other and says:  "He worked his whole life for the gas company."

I wonder who sells those little flags.  They must make a fortune on them.  You see them all over the place.

--RoadDog

Living in Today's World-- A Proper Super Bowl Menu

From the February 5, 2017, Rhymes With Orange comic strip.

THE ULTIMATE SEVEN-LAYER DIP

This consists of:

Chex Mix
Hot wings
Meatballs

Jalapeno poppers
Chili
Cheese Doodles
Sliders

No Argument From Me.  --RoadDog

Living In Today's World: The Eminent Danger

From the January 30, 2017, Rubes comic strip.

A dog and a cat are trapped in a room and looking out to the hall where their owner is operating a vacuum cleaner.  The cat's back is arched and the dog is growling.

Cat:  "I despise that thing."
Dog:  "Me too."
Cat:  "We must destroy it."
Dog:  "We must."
Cat:  "Together."
Dog:  "The enemy of my enemy..."

Our dog Brandy was also petrified of the vacuum cleaner.  I am not afraid of it, but don't like the sound.  So when Liz vacuumed, the two of us made sure to stay in a different room the whole time.

Living In Today's World: About Those "Idge" Phones

From the Nov. 16, 2016, Speed Bump comic strip.

A man and a woman are looking at a man jiggling five "Idge" phones and the woman says to the man:  "The amazing thing is, he's still texting on all of them."

From the September 24, 2016, Dogs of C-Kennel comic strip.

The pitbull and Kenny the husky are looking over a brick fence as several adult humans walk by engrossed with their "Idge" phones.  The pitbull says to Kenny:  "Call me nostalgic, but I would actually love to be whacked by a newspaper."

"Idge" Me baby, Eight to the Bar.  --RoadDog

Living In Today's World: Job Performance

From the Dec. 3, 2016, Dilbert comic strip.

1.  The Pointy-Haired Boss is behind Dilbert who is hard at work at his station and says to Dilbert:  "I am supposed to act interested in your well-being to boost your job performance."  Dilbert says:  "No thanks."

2.  Pointy-Haired Boss says, apparently not listening to Dilbert:  "So, how's your wife, or girl friend, or same-sex partner, or loneliness."  Dilbert replies:  "Fine"

3.  Pointy-Headed Boss:  "Okay, I think that covers it."  Dilbert:  "Look!  My productivity is soaring."

Ain't It the truth.  --RoadDog

ONE THING I LEARNED IN LIFE....  The older I get, the smarter my parents get.

Living in Today's World: "Idge" Phones

From the September 11, 2016, Family Circus comic strip.

1.  One of their kids is holding a leash and says, "Mommy!  I think Barfy (their dog) could use a little exercise.  How 'bout I volunteer to take him for a walk around the park."

2.  He is walking out the door with Barfy on the leash.  the kid has his "Idge" phone out and says:  "Okay!  Let's go find 'em."  You see him thinking about the Pokeyman Go things.

--RoadDog

Living In Today's World: "Don't Pull It Out!!"

From the September 6, 2016, Dustin comic strip.

Dustin's dad is standing in the checkout line at the grocery store.  The man at the front of the line has put his credit card (a new one with the chip) in the machine.

1.  Dad, thinking to himself:  "Ugh.  These chip readers are the worst.  The man at the front of the line is having problems and the cashier says to him: "Wait, don't pull it out."

2.  The Dad is still thinking:  "Makes me nostalgic for people holding up the line to balance their checkbooks.  The cashier is now yelling at the man with the card: "DON'T PULL IT OUT.!!"


I myself don't have a problem with pulling it out, but do have a real big problem remembering to insert the chip instead of swiping it.  I am so proud of myself when I remember to insert the chip instead of swipe, but that is sure a rare happening.

"Insert Chip."  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  At an Applebee's restaurant:  NOTICE: AFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!  A new 6% tax will be charged for the cost of collecting taxes!"

Living In Today's World: About Those Commercials

August 5, 2016,  Mr. Boffo.

More proof weird things are happening everywhere with no explanation.

Mr. Boffo is sitting in his easy chair watching TV and says to his wife, sitting next to him:   "I haven't seen my favorite commercial in over an hour."

Is it me, but there do seem to be a lot of really good commercials on TV (although way too many) these days.  Some of them are very funny while others are very touching.  I like the one  with the little horse being ignored by the big horses and the lady buys a pet door for him to come in and he gets rubbed to the tune of "Little Man."  Which by the way, was on the WLS charts 50 years ago today.

I also like the one where the little kids misses his dad who is deployed overseas and send the paper airplanes with messages across the fence into his neighbor's yard, who collects them. sends them in a package to the kid's dad who makes his own paper airplanes and sends them to the neighbor who throws them back over the fence.

Commercials like  this will always get me to watch them.

--RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  Official sign near door:  "Door Alarmed."  There was a handprinted sign nearby which read:  "Window Frightened."

Living In Today's World: Dilbert-- The Problem With "Idge" Phones

For some reason, comic strip writers seem to have a good handle on the problems with "Idge" Phones.

July 16, 2016, Dilbert comic strip.

Dilbert is at his office with a female co-worker who is staring at her "Idge" Phone.

Panel 1:  Dilbert to coworker:  "The weather will be good this weekend."  Woman:  "Stop right there."

Panel 2:  Woman:  "Your proposed topic of conversation is far below the level of entertainment I can get from my phone.."  She is still looking at her phone.

Panel 3:  Dilbert to the office dog, who is also on his "Idge" phone.  "I don't know how conversations work."  Dog:  "You're interrupting my phone time."

What a World.  --RoadDog

OH HELL!1  ... LET'S OFFEND EVERYBODY!:  What did the Chinese couple name their tan, curly-haired baby?  Answer:  Sum Ting Wong.

Living in Today's World: Speed Bump

From the August 24, 2016, Speed Bump comic strip.

One panel.  No talking.

A father and his daughter are entering a corn maze.  The father looks up and just over the tops of the corn he sees a giant mouse in a white lab coat writing on a clip board.

Turnabout is fair play, I guess.

Of course, within a few miles of us we have Richardson's Corn Maze, reputed to be the world's largest, which draws thousands of people every fall.  This year's theme of their maze is the 50th anniversary of "Star Trek."

--RoadDog

Living in Today's World: Dustin-- The Comic Strip Pages Don't Crash

From the August 21, 2016, Dustin comic strip.

Dustin and the young neighbor friend are lying on the floor in the living room reading the comics in the newspaper.

Frame 1:  Dustin:  "It used to be the way we all read the comics."  Friend:  "Wow!"

Frame 2:  Dustin:  "Pretty cool, right?"  Friend:  "The weirdest thing is ..."

Frame 3:  Friend:  "... no pop up ads."  Dustin:  "Plus, it never crashes."

I remember anxiously waiting to get the Sunday comics from my dad as I was growing up and then reading them on the floor.  And, I still get most of my regular, non-blog, news from newspapers.  Few things finer than sitting out on the front porch, gazebo or back deck with a cup of coffee and today's newspaper.

I am sure going to miss it when the time comes and there are no longer any print newspapers.

--RoadDog

MORE SUTHEN-ISMS:  All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is.  They might not use the term, but they know the concept well.

The "Idge Phones

From Speed Bump comic strip for June 12, 201,

Some people call them smart phones.  I have my doubts about that.  I think perhaps the term idiot phones "idge" my be more appropriate.

The Devil is standing with a newly arrived person in you-know-where.  He had his arm around the new soul.  Meanwhile, there are seven other people in you-know-where completely absorbed with their "Idge" phones.

The Devil says to the new guy, "Oh, this isn't their hell.  It's yours."

I Agree.  --RoadDog

AIN'T IT THE TRUTH:  Gone are the days when girls used to cook like their mothers.  Now they drink like their fathers.

What is the State of Labor on Labor Day?

This past weekend, we celebrated the very backbone of this country. That would be those who go out and toil with their own backs and minds and skills to make this country the great place it is. I'm not talking about those who earn money off labor or who make money on the stock market and playing futures. I'm talking about the REAL people of America.

I'm talking about the people who are really suffering today. The people who can no longer expect to live the "American Dream" because prices have increased while jobs, at least the good ones, have gone by the wayside. Those that are having a hard time buying groceries and meeting increased health care. Those who are trying to raise families while paying exorbitant day care prices.

The government likes to talk about the numbers of new jobs that are available for people. YES--MINIMUM WAGE AND FEW IF ANY BENEFITS. In the meantime, the rich get richer and the middle class is dwindling.

The days of the labor unions seem to be over as an effective force to deal with owners and CEOs.

Then, there's the horrible inflation we're having. The price of everything keeps going up. And let's not even talk about gas and Big Oil profits.

Not a Pleasant Future That We Face. --RoadDog

To Walk or Get Driven to School?

The July 14th Chicago Tribune reports that, according to a study, fewer American students who live close to school are walking to school, especially kids in the South.

This, coupled with computer games and schools cutting physical education classes and recess due to budgetary restraints, has led to a major obesity problem with kids.

The study, which is being published in the August issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is based on a random telephone survey of 7,400 families with children ages 9-15.

In 1969, about 90 percent of children who lived within a mile of their school, either walked or biked to it. In 2004, just 48 percent did that at least once a week.

There are quite a few reasons for this. "Many suburbs and newer cities lack sidewalks so safety is an issue. Also, many families have extra cars and some parents aren't concerned about exercise for their children. Plus, some children think walking is 'uncool.' "

I would like to add that children today have to be the most-spoiled kids ever. They expect their parents do to everything for them- and RIGHT away.

Many kids are driven to school these days. A very common parental excuse is that they fear for their safety. I don't hear of many kids getting shot or abducted on the way to school among those who still do it under their own power.

Kids being driven to school, even when they can get bus service has become a major problem at the Round Lake, Il, schools, especially since 2000. Coming to school and leaving means doing battle with a major traffic jam. I don't remember it being like that when I started teaching back in 1973, or for that matter, up until the last six years. Existing schools have a great difficulty provided a way to do this and it becomes a major factor in the construction of new buildings.

Then, again, with these high gas prices due to Big Oil's excuse of increased usage, one would have to wonder why parents insist on driving their little darlings?

To the best of my memory, I always walked or rode a bus. I remember definitely walking to Cardinal Drive School in Rolling Meadows, Il, for 6th grade, and for two years at Winston Park Junior High in Palatine.

Let My People Hit the Pavement. --RoadDog

Now I Done Seen it ALL- $55 Bottled Water!!!

Who'd have figured that it would or could come to this. There is a bar in Chappaqua, New York, near NYC and hometown of the Clintons, that sells bottled water for prices from $3 for the common stuff, all the way to $55 for a 3/4 liter of Bling H2O. Yes the Yuppies now truly have their drink. You could save some money and ONLY spend $35 for a liter of 10,000 BC. Such a Deal!!!

Why these brands demand so much money is due to a wine term they call terroir. Don't ask me what it means. I'm not much of a wine drinker and I definitely wouldn't spend even $2 for a bottle of water. Why someone would charge the same amount for water as for a soda, where they actually had to do something with it is beyond me.

Business is so good, they're opening a second one.

Americans spend $15 billion a year on bottled water!! That's shocking. Has anyone ever heard of the tap or drinking fountains. While I was growing up, we'd drink right out of a hose. Nothing like that special taste, but when you were thirsty from playing ball, that was good enough. To my knowledge, no one has ever died by drinking out of a hose. But, I know people who think they'd die if they drink any sort of water other than bottled.

There is a big article in Wikipedia about bottled water. Some interesting things I found were that it should be at 55 degrees, kept out of the sun, and absolutely NO ice. You never know where the ice has been. Hey, until we took a trip through Europe back in 2000, I thought I could only drink iced down water, but did find I could drink it at room temperature on the bus. This was one of the hottest-ever summers on record. I'll never forget the 100 plus degrees it was in Venice the day we visited and the Death March along the River Arno in Florence.

Bottled water can be glacial, spring, well, or purified water. Sales are increasing 7 to 10% a year. In 2004, the US consumed 25.8 billion liters. Profits to the water bottling companies are at $11 billion a year (Hey, how much do they actually spend on the product. I imagine most of the cost is in packaging and delivery.).

Twenty-five percent of the bottled water sold is reprocessed municipal water. Pepsi has gotten into the fray with its Aquafina brand which debuted in Wichita, Kansas, in 1994. Coke's bottled water is Dasani which came out in 1999. One of the first bottled water was Evian mineral water from Lake Geneva, Switzerland. It was brought to the US in 1978.

What really galls me is that they usually sell a bottle of water for the same prices as a bottle of pop.

I know that more than a few members of my family are rarely seen without a bottle of water in their hand. You might even see me with a bottle of water out on the boat. but only because it eliminates the need for a cooler of ice to keep the pop cold. Again, I have learned that I can drink water at room temperature.

Water, Water, Everywhere, but How Much Do I Gotta Pay. --RoadDog