PICKLE TREES AND MORE

The children were stumbling in the darkness chasing lightning bugs when Uncle Floyd called, "Now come on in 'fore you step on a copperhead." Giggling and clutching baby jars of fireflies, Mary Elizabeth, Toby, and Sonny bounced up the steps to the planked porch. "You kids need to bed down  before your momma and daddy get home." In unison the children shouted "no, no, no, tell us a story first ... please." Floyd replied, "OK, hush up and set them bugs free so they can get back to their home." He liked to tell the children stories and seemed at ease with his niece and nephews.

Floyd Culpepper wandered from West Virginia to Florida forty years earlier seeking a new life. He got a new way , but never a wife, any children or an automobile. But, he got around just fine on his green bicycle which was now more rust colored than green. He had a few friends, but was content to keep to himself. He did little jobs around the county to pay for his rent and food. Over the years, he had been a gardener's helper, busboy, orange picker, fisherman, and many other things. Now Floyd wasn't stupid or simple, he just preferred his life without complications. He always said that he liked being plain more than fancy. Sometimes he sincerely admitted that in eight years of schooling he had "learned all the letters and numbers" any man needed to know.

He left home at fourteen after his farming father died suddenly and his mother allowed a neighbor man to share her bed. He didn't like the man, and without telling anyone he left one frosty morning. He didn't take much and only had a few dollars when he left before the sun got above the nearby hills. He left three sisters, two brothers, his momma, and the new man he disliked. Later he learned that  Bill Jenkins eventually married his mother and became a prosperous salesman. His family got a nicer house and a good running Ford station wagon. All his brothers and sisters got proper educations, and his baby sister Mandy Lee graduated from Virginia Tech. He sometimes regretted never saying a proper goodbye to his kin, and got a little bit of the "blues" missing his mommas final years.

Floyd hitch hiked and walked his way south. It took him several months on the road before he landed in a place where it was warm morning, noon, and night. He liked Florida. Sometimes he wondered about home and the family he had left so many years earlier. But, Floyd was usually too busy with odd jobs and watching television at night to worry much about the past. His favorite shows were the cartoons and sitcoms. Cartoons reminded him of being a child, and he liked the thirty minute stories with happy endings when everybody ended up friends.

The children quickly got dressed for bed. Floyd was gently squeaking in the porch rocker when they curled around his feet like kittens cuddling close to a mother cat. "Ready for a story",  he asked, and they all shouted "yeah." Floyd was happy beyond belief that Mandy Lee and Tom had gotten teaching jobs and accidentally found him when they moved to Florida. In the few months since their arrival, he got caught up on all the news and gossip from back home. Floyd felt a bit reconnected to his younger days after conversations with Mandy Lee.

"Tonight I'm goin' to tell y'all about the pickle tree my granny had in her backyard". Mary Elizabeth chortled a long, "aw", while the boys groaned, "no way." Floyd continued, "now be quiet so I can tell this story best I can remember". The chatter became muffled as he began his bedtime tale.

"Not long ago, before modern times and pollution set in, there were many wondrous things that don't exist anymore. In the forests back home the old folks often talked about polka dotted bears, trees that talked as plain and proper as you and me, and white deer that could fly. I never saw any polka dot bears or flying deer, but I do remember being in the woods all alone one night and hearing the oaks whispering. Best I could gather they were talking about a coming storm. Also back then, Easter Bunnies laid chocolate, candied, and colored hard boiled eggs for Easter Sunday. They were jumbo sized hoppers with powder blue or pink fur and big cotton colored tails. These big fellas evidently didn't like their little cousins, and chased the smaller tan and gray rabbits whenever one came close. " The boys softly intoned "naw" but continued to listen.

"Well my favorite thing, I'll never forget, was my grandma's garden and orchard of beautiful trees. In the rocky soil on the hillside behind her cabin, she mixed in chicken and horse poop with the dirt, and grew very large vegetables and the most tasty things in her orchard." All the children snickered at the word "poop", but kept their eyes fixed on Floyd as he continued. " In the garden she had tomatoes as big as watermelons, and melons dern near the size of a burn barrel. In the orchard, there was a peanut tree with pods containing huge cashews and redskin peanuts. Another shrub  grew little chocolate coated raisins, but my favorite tree was the one that grew pickles. It was very unusual. On the same great tree fat and juicy kosher pickles grew right beside little skinny gherkins. In the summer the pickles emerged after huge sweet smelling purple flowers blossomed. I loved those pickles the best, and no matter how many I picked there were always more the next day. Nothing better in the summer than a frosty Nehi orange or grape soda and a handful of them delicious pickles.

Granny could never explain why her garden things got so big or why different kinds of peanuts and pickles grew on the trees. Nobody had ever seen such things. The county agent and a school teacher just shook their heads when they saw what granny was growing. After friends and family got all they wanted, she sold jars and baskets full to folks passing along our road. Yeah, it was a wonderful time  when I was a kid and had pickles ... "

Looking close, Floyd noticed the three babies were softly purring and asleep. Gently he toted each one inside, laid them to rest, and gave each a butterfly kiss.

Satisfied with his story telling Floyd lumbered back to the front porch. There he settled into the rocker and breathed in the sweet night air. For a few minutes he enjoyed the chorus of crickets, tree frogs, hoot owls, and other night creatures speaking to their own or their forest neighbors. Then, listening carefully to the tree branches and palm fronds rubbing and scraping in the wind he daydreamed. Guided by his best memories he relaxed as his eyes fluttered to the place of dreams.

When Mandy and Tom drove up they found Floyd snoring with an unusually wide smile stretched across his sun burnt and creased face.

CELEBRITY WATCH PARTY 2020

Let's keep a record of all the celebrities who promise to leave the country when Donald Trump and other republicans are re-elected after the 2020 elections. Can someone report them by name and image the day after election day ? And how many, as they solemnly swore, actually did leave our great nation after Trump won in 2016 ?

Every election season, scores of liberal Hollywood/celebrity types decide their vision of America is crushed if republicans win national elections. They somehow think their opinions matter and will influence other voters, but they really don't. Like grumpy children, when elections don't go their way they promise to crawl off to another part of the world.

When Trump is re-elected, I hope someone will remind the nation about these shallow play actors and talking heads and their promises to depart the USA. All of us have moments of mistakes, hypocrisy and silliness which we usually regret. However, many celebrities gleefully spout their prejudices and political ignorance every election cycle and never admit their errors. Like the "unbearable" bores they are will these hypocrites ever do what they solemnly promise ?

ESTABLISHMENT HUMBUGS

I am fed up with "establishment" politicians and media gangs that have plagued this election season.

For being outside the box of conventional politics, Trump, Sanders, and Cruz have been savaged by the powers that hold political and broadcasting power. We are told repeatedly that these specific men are dangerous for America. Also, supporters of these political mavericks are consistently labeled as rednecks, ruffians, fools, racists, dreamers, and illiterates by the talking head royalty of the broadcast universe and their political handlers.

The "establishment" that is Washington DC with it's smarmy web of bureaucracies is being threatened. Their struggle to maintain power and the status quo of ineffective government is being defended by both incumbent officeholders and media hacks. Day after day, new polls and media soothsayer's pop out of the woodwork, prophesying all manner of hell if a non establishment type becomes president. I reject their forecasts and polling projections, and rely on the actual votes of my fellow citizens.

I prefer Trump the ultimate pragmatist. He has never worn the shackles of any specific political party, but uses them all to achieve his goals. He handles the media like a puppet master. His track record glistens with more success than failure and he is not beholding to any moneyed donor or PAC. I believe his "Make America Great Again" slogan comes from the heart, and aside from a few personal distasteful traits, he is gifting his immense energy and enthusiasm to a country he loves.

I respect Cruz because his message is outside the world of current political speak. I admire his strong constitutional positions and courage among his congressional peers. However, he generally lacks sufficient voter support and enthusiasm to win this time around. Someday, perhaps 2020 or 2024, in a better educated America a more charismatic Cruz will bring the nation closer to it's constitutional roots.

While I greatly dislike the socialist message of Bernie, I respect his honesty in believing a totally failed brand of socialism can cure all our problems. He has uncommon energy and has enlivened millions of young people in the political process. Hopefully, as his young admirers mature they will realize the fraud and silliness that is socialism.

I believe our "greatest fear" at this time should be the combined evil force of established politicians and media forces. They thrive and profit in a chaotic America where social, economic, and political differences are enhanced and deepened by political cowards and their fawning broadcast buddies. They currently hold the power and will demonize, slash and burn any presidential hopeful that does not conform to their rules. If necessary, they will rewrite convention rules to fulfill their plans, and reject popular voting as a means of candidate selection.

Our future with Hillary Clinton or a republican consensus branded president will be a continuation of ineffective American domestic and foreign policy. Our nation will continue it's slide from greatness to some bad place of Euro lameness and weakness. Trump, Cruz or Sanders may not be our ultimate savior, but their freshness on the big stage of presidential politics may begin the needed reform our political system desperately needs.

             

HOW REPUBLICANS AND TRUMP WIN 2020.

Now is the time for all flavors of republicans, independents and disillusioned democrats to unite behind Donald Trump. Their chief goal must be to stop liberal, progressive, and socialist policies which have, in the past,  seriously damaged our economy, made our past foreign policy laughable, and slammed capitalism and the constitution at every turn.

Slammed and universally blamed by the media for the Chinese virus and civil unrest after the Floyd incident, Trump has met the challenges with calm, reserve and common sense. With his leadership we will survive and see a renaissance in our economy and good health in 2021 and beyond. Democrat socialists and their media cheerleaders are maximizing fear and attempting to extend the criis for their political advantage, but thgey will fail. 

Trump must unite all Americans. Bad hair, arrogance, flippant tweets, and rudeness aside, his hard work and perseverance must be rewarded in a 2020 re election from all republicans and disaffected democrats. His anti establishment, pragmatic approach, and successes since 2016 to Make and Keep America Great are remarkable especially given the constant hate campaign from the DC swamp and their mainstream media puppet masters.  Even when he falters, his presidency has been a damn sight better than the Obama/Biden/Hillary cabal and the current 2020 roster of mediocre far left loons.

Donald Trump needs to bring his republican rivals and friends together. He needs to tone down the  derogatory pet names and insults he sometimes slings at opponents. While remaining the party's lion, he must become a listening lamb, and gain political strength from the party and all it's members. Trumps ability to negotiate deals and fulfill campaign promises must again win the day with his adversaries and key republicans who have too often sat on the sidelines waiting for his implosion. Trump will soon become the "establishment" and as such he must deal with the old establishment biggies so they can become allies and support his agenda. Ideologically inclined constitutional, tea party, independents, republicans and reasonable democrats must realize their support for Trump saves the nation from socialism, more taxes and less liberty.

Bernie, Joe, WarrenPelosi, Schumer,  and the Clintons are losers lacking the charisma, energy and imagination to propel the economy to greater heights while confronting all our foreign policy challenges. A dim party 2020 administration would plunge America back into another costly round of progressive policies which stifle the economy, weaken our military, increase taxes, and threaten our national defense.

While Trump may not be every Americans ideal choice, he has put "exceptional ism" back into our vocabulary. It is an apt description of how his enthusiasm, passion and love of country have lifted the nation and citizens out of the inertia of the Obama/Biden/Clinton years. Finally, he is getting global recognition as a distinguised world leader with two Nobel Peace Prize nominations and an administration that seeks to bring troops home and not start more unnecessary wars. 

Forget the polls, lefty pundit and media hate and hype. Trump and more republicans can win in 2020 if they unite behind his impressive record of achievement and display the courage and energy to lay bare  the weaknesses and failures of democrats.

VOTING ZOMBIES ?

Why do so many Jewish, Latino and black Americans consistently vote for democrats ? Biden has proclaimed, " you ain't black if ya' don't vote democrat" and the Black Congressional Caucus, NAACP and BLM demand black people must always vote for democrats. WHY ? 

This pattern is so predictable, and all donkey candidates take black votes for granted. Dem/Socialist candidates know it's as predictable as tomorrow's sunrise. Democratic Party candidates for mayor, governor, congress and the presidency usually recite the same grievances and the same pandering promises. 

They paint republicans and other political opponents as racists, mean, and uncaring of their fellow human beings. Corporations and the rich people are portrayed as evil. The fact that corporations and rich citizens provide the capital and innovation to create jobs and prosperity is dismissed by those on the left. Dem's always promise more free government stuff, and relief from the stresses of modern life by promising bigger and more government handouts and programs. 

The likes of Biden, Harris, fake Pocahontas, Bernie, BLM and ANTIFA pander to fear and radical ideas to secure endorsements, campaign bucks, and precious votes. To them promising everything to everybody with no clear track record of past successes is OK. 

LBJ's "Great Society" promised an end to poverty and after trillions of taxpayer dollars accomplished nothing, but it seemed to lock in votes for life from many in minority communities.  Despite their fraud, their tricks are used every election cycle and always work as amazing numbers of black, Jewish, and minority voters seem to robotically support democrat candidates. 

In more recent times, Clinton pledged and delivered a sweeping anti-crime bill with the promise for thousands of new cops and creative schemes to reduce violence. However, major cities such as Chicago, Baltimore, New Orleans, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Memphis, New York, Minneapolis, Seattle and many other "blue" governed cities continue to suffer more "black on black crime", murders, homelessness and poverty. Likewise, Obama deflated our personal liberties with his pandering initiative of Obamacare which didn't lower health costs and became another giant government sponsored failure. Biden omics was the latest progressive flop.  

Every social or economic problem which a democrat POTUS tries to fix gets worse. The result is always higher taxes and more laws for corporations and tax paying citizens. Democrats are the champions for simple answers to complex problems and too many well-intentioned citizens become voting "ZOMBIES" on election day. Many want to believe in the promises or vote out of family tradition or peer pressure. Why do so many Democrats leaders happily rule over the dirtiest, most crime ridden cities and states in the nation and get reelected every voting cycle? 

Today, democrat/socialists and progressive candidates are repeating the same old siren song.  Free college, bust up the banks, tax the hell out of the rich, create a huge national minimum wage, open the borders to everyone, and throw in a treasure chest of freebies to illegal immigrants and non-working healthy citizens. The contest seems to focus on who can promise the freest stuff while billing Wall Street, rich folks, and the quiet industrious citizens who work and pay taxes. Sad truth is on election day, too many voters will again be suckered into voting for a bag full of empty Democratic Party promises sprinkled with a boatload of republican hate rhetoric. And most media will repeat the falsehoods in their "news" and commentaries.

Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters, Jesse Jackson, members of The Black Congressional Congress, NAACP and BLM consistently remind black people that America is not a good deal. They seek to divide America while making a handsome personal profit out of their negative messaging. They are race profiteers and will continue their reign until black people shut them down.

 In the fifties and sixties great civil rights leaders such as Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers, and Martin Luther King changed America with their nonviolent initiatives. Today, we have a great number of fair minded Republican political leaders of color. However, our nation still has too many black apologists, crybabies and cowards who condone and even encourage violent acts of civil disobedience. Some boldly threaten to leave America if a Republican is elected, but few ever do. 

The gang of "woke" influencers set a negative example to impressionable young people and those unable or unwilling to make a reasoned voting decision. Deep down most influential black, minority and woke leaders know American is the country offering more personal liberty and economic opportunities than any major nation on the face of the earth. These leaders are living proof of America's greatness, yet they want to keep black people and minorities enslaved on the Democratic Party plantation of failed promises.

We should not return or imagine our present is anything nothing close to the days and experiences of Nat Turner, 1822, The Civil War, carpetbaggers, KKK and Jim Crow times. In today's real world we must recognize the progress and success of a diverse nation and build a better future for our children and grandchildren. While choosing a candidate it would be helpful to consider all the past Democratic Party sponsored programs that have failed. Also, it might be advisable to step away from the "establishment" of career politicians and consider leaders who owe no favors to any donors or political parties.

Jewish voters must understand that America is Israel's greatest ally, and our nation has a long and honored Judeo-Christian tradition.

Hispanic voters who have earned their citizenship and worked hard to achieve their better life don't want illegal southern aliens. They understand the Biden/Harris open border policies are a scheme to enlist more democratic voters. 

Donald Trump and other pragmatic leaders who have been successful, and truly want all Americans to be great and enjoy the opportunities of a capitalist republic deserve your serious consideration and vote. Look beyond Trump's ego, yellow hair, rudeness, and bombast, and you see a man who has worked and wanted to "Make America Great" for all citizens since 2016. He has suffered a Biden scheme of "government lawfare" and even taken a bullet. Yet, he perseveres. 

Value your precious vote and consider all the unfilled and empty promises of democratic/socialist/progressive politicians since the days of Lyndon Johnson. Resist the tendency to surrender your votes out of habit, family tradition or peer pressure. Reject the bias of your TV "newscasters" and entertainment favorites. 

Do the right thing with your constitutional right to vote and don't be a "ZOMBIE" voter in 2024. 

           

SHINY BITS OR SHOOTING STARS ?

Walking along it occurs to me the habit of looking up or looking down may be a profound statement about our short trip through life.

Seeking shiny bits along the pathway is a chance our downward glance might stumble upon  something of value. As a child we celebrated the discovery of a random coin found in the dirt. It became a pleasurable signal to buy a candy or soda. Older, the realities of life may have required looking down to find more tidbits of prosperity or happiness. The world can present a complex and tough road and seeking fulfillment from tangible things close at hand may satisfy and calm the appetite and souls of many, but is it lasting ?

However, looking up can be exhilarating and scary in the same breath. The deep blue sky and wispy clouds can be a fantasy where nothing is certain and yet anything is possible. We may dream impossible schemes as our eyes focus on the heavens and stars of day and night. Physical security and sensory satisfaction may elude us as our musing seeks the shooting stars of hope and imagination. By looking up we may stumble along life's roadway and miss material rewards.

The real world is a hostile place for the dreamers. While those persistently looking down may be the pragmatists who keep the real world in a whirling state of order or chaos while the dreamers are the chance for mankind's better future.