Our 10 Days Near Detroit, Visiting the Family...

This video was made in Southgate Mi. just a few miles from Detroit. We were just on Fort St. last week on our way to my Father in laws house. a.k.a. Papa Jack. Detroit is what it is, but this is what is really going on there in the "Burbs" Nice people enjoying real life. This is the real Michigan. Enjoy the Video.

I'll be posting tid bits about our trip in the coming days, and believe it or not it's mostly positive and funny, except one incident. We were going through Ohio and we drove past a nuclear plant, and I asked my Grandson Corgan if he knew what it was and he said, "if it blows up we will all be killed!"

 Detroit's problems began decades ago with corrupt mayors and crooked unions. I was in the UAW, though I did not choose to be, I had to be. I worked at the Fisher Body plant in Ypsilanti, Mi. Yes, this is a real place, just outside Ann Arbor. The attitude of the workers in the plant was pure hatred and disdain for the company. They would do anything they could to impede production, or stop the line. I really didn't get it. I asked one guy," if we get more cars out the door isn't that a good thing". He told me to shut up, if I knew what was good for me. That was forty something years ago, and what happened in Lansing is the work of "paid thugs". You ask where are the cops?  Did you know that this type of union activity is not against the law? Google it! The car companies were Detroit and the Unions got anything they wanted or they went on strike and stopped production. The cars were crap but we all bought American back then. Now the #1 car company is Toyota.

Guess what, that was in 1968, since then almost a million people have left Detroit proper, and about a 1000 families a month are leaving currently. Michigan used to depend entirely on the auto industry to run their economy, not so today. Detroit as a city is just about finished, the latest idea floating around is to make it into a "Zombie Land Theme Park"  An added note, they added Casino gambling several years ago , with the usual promises, rebuild the city, improve education, blah,blah, blah. The real problem with Detroit is that all the taxpayers have left. The biggest Liberal City failure, ever is on its way to bankruptcy. This video is an example of what is happening in Greece. It's in the beginning stages here.

The City of Detroit, 1962
Play both videos at the same time
the effect is haunting.

The City of Detroit, 2014 Some homes can be purchased for less than a $100. but you have to live in them and take care of the property. This is a video of what's available. Copper plumbing, not included.

 

What's goin' on?

 

What Happened to my Truck?

My first new truck

Where do I begin on this one? I guess first things first. We were fortunate enough to buy a 10 acre farm in Temperance Mi. about 40 miles from Detroit. It had a brand new 10 horse barn and a new house. Could we, should we? Yessss! Let's get a new truck. Why get a Ford, we had horse friends, let's call them Betty and Tom, and every time we went to visit them he would always complain about the "GM POS," I was driving. He worked for Ford, and always told me to move up, get a Ford, they make the number 1 truck in the world.

I knew someone that worked at a local Ford dealership in Monroe Mi. (pronounced Munro) the home of Lazy Boy, Monroe Shocks and Jim and Sue Barton.

Uncle Everetts Rig

So I went out and looked at some trucks. I told him we were going to have a camper on the truck. A side note, my father in law is a very giving person and he thought we  were crazy for going into debt for a truck and camper. He said Uncle Everett has a pick up with the camper on it for $300. As you can see, "you get what you pay for" I told my father in law that we had to haul a horse trailer and Everett's rig couldn't handle it.
Back to the truck deal, I told the salesman what we wanted the truck for, figured out the GVW's, engine needs, towing ability, and the constant "Yeah, the truck we picked can do it all'
Then I got the usual "What can I do to get you into your new truck today?" The close was, "look, you're putting a camper on this "veeehicle"(that's how he said it) right? I said yes, he said forget the rear bumper, you can't use it anyway, hey, you save $400. bucks.
I think I had the truck for a week, everyone was happy, my wife, my kids even my Ford buddy.

That's not Rose

Rose and Razz Youth Equitation
Champion
EMAR

Rose, my wife Jackie's baby sister used to come out and ride the horses and sometimes stay on weekends. Sometimes we won some money betting on her, but most of time we lost. Just kidding, this was a typical weekend for Rose. Free horseback riding.  Look what "free" horseback riding did for her!  Remember the rear bumper I didn't have put on the truck? One day at work I was taking a break and happened to be looking at my new truck and noticed the whole right rear fender had vanished. I took a closer look and I thought, hit and run. Damage estimate $2500. The whole bed would have to be replaced. Then I noticed rust on the damage, this happened a while ago. I asked Jackie about it, she said, OMG, we wanted to get an ice cream at the corner store, we were in a hurry and something stopped us. It really sounded bad, but Rose got out and looked and said it was ok. What side did she look  at, oh, my side. No damage, the whole passenger side vanished underneath itself and you saw no damage? It seems they rammed a cement sign protecting post at full speed in reverse! That's what the horrendous thud was.

I think that's a curtain
rod hanging off the back.
They were watching
"The Price is Right"

Moral of this story, always have a rear bumper on your car or truck. Make sure you don't waste any of a $2500. dollar ice cream. A few years later we got another new pick up and as you can see by the picture,

I got the most durable and expensive rear bumper that was available, but this time I really didn't need it. She found another way. I think that's a window curtain hanging off the back, no one was hurt but changes of underwear were in short order.

I promised music critiques, I love Karmen, watch her band guys, they love her too! It's about time, something fresh and happy!         Enjoy the Video! Please comment, we would love to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

The Importance and Necessity of Crate Training.

 

I can hear it already, "it's like putting my sweet puppy in prison" "she will hate me forever" "I just can't do it!" Did you know no matter how big or small your dog is they are pack animals. Did you ever go to a dog park and think your dog was having "fun" with the other dogs? No, they are exercising pack mentality, looking for weaknesses in the other dogs and trying to be the dominant leader. Most dog aggression is introduced by turning your loved one loose in a dog park setting. If you think about it and watch the behaviour, its chasing, pinning down, barking and dog fights. They are for the most part, not playing. Your pack animal is only showing pack survival, not cute puppy stuff. I thought you'd enjoy this dog park video.They're are many reasons to crate your dog or puppy, especially, when you're not home. I just read a sad story this morning about the plant in this video. The Heliotrope plant is beautiful and smells wonderful. The dog owner had these around and her dog Goldie would nibble on the leaves. It turns out that this plant is highly toxic. Goldie got ill and the pet parent took her to the vet and she died of massive liver damage, the worst case her vet had ever seen. The Vet didn't know the plant was toxic. More reasons to crate train, it helps in housebreaking. Make sure the crate fits the dog, remember, a dog is always a pack animal. Out in the wild if they pooped in the den, the pack leader would clean their clock. If the crate is to big, they might add a bathroom in the extra space. Yes, some will carry on and scream and whine, but that will eventually stop. They are not going to die, but it sounds like it. If you can't take the noise, just put the dog in the garage and go shopping. Crating also helps fix aggressive behavior. An example of this, new dog in the house beating up the dog with seniority in the house. Time to change who is the pack leader in this "Den" your house. This behaviour is unacceptable, steps to fixing it, the crate. From now on the problem dog will only go from the crate outside to poop, no praise, no treats. The only person they will see is you. Anything good, comes from you, food comes from you, outside comes from you. This exercise let's them know who the real "pack leader" is, you. This may take up to a few weeks depending on the level of the bad behavior. A pack leader in the wild is fair and firm and keeps the pack fed, safe and comfortable. Just like you. With this attitude change, consistency is key. Let the rest of the family know that this

dog is in training, no communication is allowed except from you or whoever you designate to be the new pack leader. One last note, if your dog is sleeping in your bed, this puts them on the same level in the pack as you. The problems ahead will be many, biting, barking and licking, just to name a few. These are all signs of dominance, you really don't want to go there. This is a very good how to crate video. If you have the less expensive crates just tie the door open. See you soon~

The "Horse Apple" Story

Scene of the Crime

Weapon of Mass Destruction

Apple containers

It was around Christmas, all I remember is that it was the coldest on record in Detroit area history. I got a phone call from my wife, on this call she asked me to do her a favor. "Please fill a shoebox with horse manure and wrap it in Christmas paper, bring it here to work and put it in the front seat of my car." I asked why? She told me they were playing a joke on one of her friends. So I went out to the barn and got a box of "Horse Apples'.

I really hope it doesn't start!

On my way with the Poop

The Poop was pretty frozen and was easily transferred to the container, I'm reading this and can't believe that without hesitation in -20 below weather, I just dropped everything and did what she asked. (I still do it to this day) Unfortunately, my car started and I drove out to the supermarket where she worked. I really had a tough time finding her car. It was a pretty big parking lot, the employees weren't supposed to park close to the store. I thought since it was so cold, maybe the managers let them park closer.


Sure enough, I finally found it. I parked beside her car and walked up to the drivers side and sure enough, it was locked! I started to panic, it was so cold, so I ran around to all the doors, and then all of a sudden, "put your hands on top of the car, NOW! Push the box with your foot towards me, move any other part of your body and I"ll shoot it off. Officer, can I speak? What's in the box? Is it a bomb of some kind? I said no it's a Christmas present. My wife works here and she asked me to bring it and the doors were locked so I tried all the doors, He said "it looked like a break in to me, now, what's in the box?  I said well, it's horse manure. He asked, "you would get yourself shot over a box of horse manure?" You're a moron with a box of manure. Let's go in and meet the wife so we can clear this up!" All the way in  the cop was muttering words like, clown, idiot a fry short of a happy meal, and my favorite, manure moron.

Free at last

My lovely wife came over and verified the story, the cop shook his head and let me go. I still don't feel free until this day. I've got lots more for you.
til next time, Please Leave a Comment. Thank You!

Changing Times, Go Back to the Past, or Make Life Better for Everyone.

Let's take a look at the past. Drugs, free love, "Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair" (I did love this song,between tokes)  The beginning of the STD epidemic. Terribly built automobiles, your brand new car was junk before it was paid for.  Today we're starting, strikes, boycotting businesses and good bye to Ding Dongs and Ho Hos. (Little Debbie is now the queen of sugar snacks) The unions are trying to regain the "lost" power they have been experiencing  over the last 20 years and they are hell bent on getting it back. I was an autoworker in the late 60's, just married, making big money.
  When you were hired at any of the "Big Three" you were quickly escorted to the uniform room and told to sign a Union agreement and were told that union dues were taken out each pay period I said what? What if I don't want to join, they said "then you have no job"
That's some history I don't want to return to. I will say this about the election, America has spoken and nothing will change that.

  Classic Michael Moore wants the rich to "drive off the fiscal cliff!" That gives me an idea, how about a grungy and stinky tax, at the very least Moore would have to take a shower. If he didn't, he would lose everything! Maybe we should look at a whole slew of different taxes. How about, Filthy Car Tax,Video Game Tax, Backpack Tax, Internet Tax, Walk Your Dog Tax, Watch TV Tax, Carpet Tax, Window Tax (you can only have five, total)
  How about, a Living in Your Parents Basement Tax, Dropping Out of College Tax, Moochers Tax. How about a "Too Many Cats Tax." "Flash Mob Tax" Can you imagine the revenue stream. What new taxes can you come up with? How about a "Not enough Tax, Tax"
This looks like a good reason for a Cat Tax.
 I'm not taking any side, but with an unfettered, Government, looking at the Constitution as a bunch of "Old Farts" piece of crap, is leading us down the garden path. I grew up in Boston, the history of this great country is embedded in me. Now embedded has something to do with computers and IPhone, which I love by the way, do you love yours? The richest company on the planet, Apple, made that happen.

Just a note about the Marathon bombings, I grew up in Boston, my high school friends and I used to go to Charlestown to see "Old Ironsides" I went to High School in Cambridge and walked past MIT every morning on my way to school. Those memories have forever been changed by this event. My thoughts and prayers go out to my fellow Bostonians and their resolve to get these guys. It took over 3500 days to get Bin Laden and only 4 days to get these guys. The message;

                             STAY OUT OF BOSTON, ASSHOLES!

 

 

 

 

 

How Come Employees Don't Help Each Other Anymore?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a part time job in a grocery store deli. We fry chicken, make salads, bake chicken, stock a salad bar, and do sandwiches and dips. Same old stuff, everyday. I remember back in the 80's, if you worked hard you got rewarded for it. Wages, were high and so was productivity. Since then skilled workers were starting to become scarce and today skilled workers are non-existent.

  Look where we are today, minimum wage, part time hours only, no paid holidays. Why? Lazy workers with no skills, no desire to improve themselves, and only care about themselves and could care less about helping their fellow employees finish a task.
  Calling off sick, not showing up, going home with a headache. They get fired and another loser shows up. Can this be fixed? They think "retirement" is changing a flat.

 I looked everywhere for some good advice as to how to handle lazy coworkers. This young lady  by far, has the best advice. The problem is only going to get worse. Robots are seriously being considered to take over some of the mundane duties in retail enviorments.

Another area I've noticed that's becoming a problem, taking responsibility for your actions, and apologizing for it. That's another post.

One thing that I did when another deli employee would leave the the last item they sliced on the slicer and leave it for someone else to wrap it for them and return to the meat case, I would say, "hey Frank, I got you covered". I made sure the rest of the employees heard it, because he did it to every body. Pretty soon, everyone started to help each other put things away. Customer service got faster and our weekly sales tripled. I love this video, til next time~

Sharing some new Music Videos, Enjoy!

Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello with white hair and no hat! Old guys finally catch a break!  I will give you the whole Nick Lowe and Creed's story on my next post, after Mothers Day!

Creed used to be in the Grass Root group back in the seventies, he's old and has no hair! Does he look familiar? How about the guy with the banjo?