I have no idea, but it made sense to Earnest, my alter ego, when he wrote this post in his blog:

(Posted by Ron)

Every now and then I like to bring in a post that was originally written by Earnest.  I try to pick the ones that actually fit the May-December subject.  Earnest’s reference to Andy Rooney in this and other of his posts fits the December aspect of our blog.  One of my few nods to aging is that my actions sometimes remind me of Andy Rooney.  As I’ve gotten older I believe I have gotten even more opinionated – or at least more willing to express them.  Here’s Earnest’s post.

I made this note one night when I was watching Letterman. I no longer remember the connection to Dave but that doesn’t matter. Did you know that Cracker Jacks were first sold at the World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago’s first world fair, in 1893. Now, that statistic comes from the Cracker Jack website so it must be right. It wasn’t really marketed and trademarked as Cracker Jacks until 1896.

Did you know (sorry Elliot) that Cracker Jacks were immortalized in 1908 when Jack Norworth wrote the lyrics to “Take Me Out To The Ballgame?” Of course you all know the phrase “buy me some popcorn and Cracker Jacks” in that song.

Even I’m not old enough to remember when these things happened (I’ve heard John McCain may be, though.) Here’s what I do remember – OK, this is going to be an Andy Rooney moment.

When I was a kid Cracker Jacks came in a tightly sealed and waxed box. I can remember how difficult it was to tear through that waxed paper without a knife. Teeth just slid across the wax. The seal on the bottom of the box, where the toy was hidden, was even worse but the toy was worth the work to retrieve it. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Cracker Jacks, but the toys back then were the best (whatever they were.)

So, why is this going to be an Andy Rooney moment? Simple. Those marvelous toys of the past are gone. What do you get now? Something made out of paper. They aren’t toys, they are throwaways. I still eat Cracker Jacks but I surely don’t eat as many as when I was a kid. What’s the point? They are only candied popcorn and peanuts. Where are the toys of old (whatever they were?) What’s more, Cracker Jacks now come in bags! Where’s the challenge to opening them?

The libation of choice for New Years in Rainelle, West Virginia

(Posted by Ron)

As you may or may not know, I went to work for a large accounting firm when I graduated from college.  I learned a year or so into the job that one of the reasons I was hired was because a significant client in West Virginia was not happy with all of the “Yankees” that were being sent from Pittsburgh to do the audit.  Enter Ron, barely out of West Virginia and still speaking the language.  The job was in Rainelle, a little town about 60 miles from the capital, Charleston.  There wasn’t a really nice place to stay in Rainelle so we drove about 25 miles through the mountains each day so we could stay at a nice state park lodge. Read the rest of this entry »

Whatever it is, I’ll bet we’ll figure it out!

(Posted by Ron)

I learned to type on an ancient Underwood typewriter that weighed a ton.  I had to learn to type smoothly to avoid tangling the keys.  I know, most of you probably have no idea what I’m talking about.  Gayle had a little portable that she used – light and in it’s own case.  Except for it’s size it was little different from my Underwood.  Then came computer technology.  Our first disagreement about technology came when we worked together and were choosing the style of word processor (I know, another historical term) our company would use. Read the rest of this entry »

(Posted by Ron)

• That the Fresh Prince of BelAir would become such an accomplished actor!
• That only the Chinese and Indian restaurants would be open on Christmas Eve!
• That Walgreens would not stock refried beans!
• That bean dip would be a fine substitute!
• That tamales, bean dip, flour tortillas and Herradura Tequila make a fine Christmas Eve dinner!
• That none of those things matters if you truly believe in the spirit of Christmas – family and all of those you love.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

Well, I am in Texas, after all, even if it is below freezing.

(Posted by Ron)

It’s one of my least favorite times in Texas (or anywhere else for that matter.)  It’s winter.  It’s cold.  And it’s not even snowing.  Of course, if it was, I would sit inside and watch it.  After all, snow is cold, too!  Do you get the idea?  I like being where it’s warm and cozy even though I didn’t grow up that way.  The Earnest part of me enjoyed cold weather and snow.  I can remember coming inside after hours in the snow.  My clothes would be stiff with ice and I would still be laughing.  I wonder when I let that all change.

Anyway, this post is another guest post by Earnest D. Cember.  I like bringing him in whenever I feel my inner child stirring.  He seems to understand that feeling.  This post comes from his website and was posted in November.  Enjoy!

Read the rest of this entry »