Another year almost gone. Seems like it just started. I guess it’s true what they say, the older you get, the faster time goes. I had a lot of stuff I wanted to get done this past year and barely made a dent in it. Not enough time. The story of my life.

Don’t get me wrong, I managed to accomplish a lot of things. We are talking about a whole year here. But in comparison to what I have left, it’s like I was on vacation.

The problem is, I schedule about thirty hours of work for every day. And, as you may know, there are currently only twenty-four hours in each of them. At least that’s what I’m told. Seems like it’s a lot less. And every year it gets worse. Drastically worse. If things keep progressing at this rate, by the time I’m sixty, there’ll only be about two hours in the day. And I’ll still have thirty hours of work to do in each one.

Maybe I need a time machine to slow things down a bit. If I could set it to give me thirty-six hours a day, that should do it. It might even provide me with a little time to sleep! On second thought, that probably wouldn’t work—I’d just come up with more things I wanted to do. And the next year we’d be revisiting the same issue—all the things I didn’t get done.

Perhaps a more viable solution would be to consult all those people who spend their entire day and night protesting everything under the sun. They seem to have a lot of free time. Would it be possible to borrow some of theirs? Or maybe all of it? After all, they’re apparently not using it.

Okay, back to reality. While it would be nice to find a few extra hours, unless some Einstein figures out how time being relative can actually help me, it’s never going to change. I’m stuck with a mere twenty-four hours in the day that fly by.

People tell me I should relax, not try to take on so many projects. (Hello? Like that would work! I’d get even less done). Quite often I’m advised to slow down, take it easy, or just stop. I’d have more time, they say. Yeah, right! I can’t do that—before you know it, another year will be gone!

Happy New Year!

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C. S. Boyack
The Cock Of The South

Had the extreme misfortune to visit a department store this week. Why didn’t someone warn me it was Christmas time? I usually make it a point to avoid stores this close to the holiday. This was sure to try my patience.

I knew I’d made a mistake when I pulled into the parking lot. There were about twenty-five vehicles all circling, like a school of piranhas; waiting to pounce on the first available space as if it were dinner. I joined them—only until I could get back to the exit.

But I still needed to go into the store, so I parked at a nearby fast food restaurant and walked. That got me in the store but did nothing to help me navigate the crowded aisles. And by crowded, I mean packed; like sardines in a can. Only these sardines were moving—and pushing carts—and talking. Which meant most of them were not paying attention.

You’d think nearly everyone pushing a cart would also be a licensed driver, especially considering the million or so cars I’d dodged in the parking lot outside. But that assumption, logical though it may be, tends to give a guy a false sense of security. Apparently, the rules of the road do not apply to shoppers, and neither does common sense. These crazy people were running into each other, running into displays, and creating general mayhem with no regard for human life; most notable, mine. It was truly a madhouse.

Meanwhile, I’m just trying to get to the back of one aisle and them elude the frenzied mob on my way to the check out line. And I do mean line, as in a LONG line. Several of them, in fact.

With nothing better to do, aside from my never-ending to-do list, I waited—patiently. And waited—almost patiently. And then waited some more. I didn’t time it, so I’m not sure how long I waited. All I know is, I was late for work and I don’t even have a set time to be there!

Eventually, I did escape, and now I shall refrain from shopping until after Christmas.

So, hat was so important that I just had to brave the raging tide of shoppers? Laundry soap. Seems after catching up on all the laundry due to the washer fiasco at my house (See last week’s blog) we were out. And for some reason, my wife thinks we need clean clothes to wear! Now you see why I was so “patient” at the store—got to keep the woman happy!

Merry Christmas!

SPOTLIGHT Author

C. S. Boyack
The Cock Of The South

Enjoyed a stay-at-home vacation last week—pretended I was rich and didn’t have to go to work. Really, I had a pretty full schedule of things I wanted to get done. But, as is usually the case, things don’t always cooperate.

The very first day, the washer broke and we had loads of laundry. I took it apart, trying to find what was wrong. After several hours I couldn’t find anything, so my wife and I went shopping. We almost bought a new one too, but when the lady at the store started backtracking on the advertised deal, my aversion to salesmen kicked in and I said, “No thanks.”

We went back home, without a washer, and I started looking for a good deal on the computer. Salesmen tend to do that to me; make me want to buy everything online. During my Internet travels, I came across a question and answer site for appliances, and there on the top was a guy saying he thought his door lid switch was bad. A light bulb suddenly turned on in my head!

I don’t know why I hadn’t thought to check the switch, but for some reason I hadn’t. Instead, I’d gone right to taking the whole thing apart.

Suspending my Internet activity, I went to test the switch and sure enough that was the problem. So for once, a pesky salesman, actually saved me money!

A quick Google search told me a new switch would cost me about thirty dollars plus shipping. Well, I didn’t feel like paying that much for a simple switch, (and waiting a week or so for it to be delivered) so, I just bypassed it. Took all of five minutes. And, it was free!

I know, for all of you safety minded people, the door switch is a vital and critical part of the washing machine! If you can’t tell, that last sentence was heavily laced with sarcasm. Washers worked fine for years without the door switch. If we need to turn it off, there’s a dial within easy reach—push it in and, like magic, the washer shuts off. Besides, bypassing the switch was a lot less work than replacing it.

But then, I had to put the rest of the washer back together. Figuring we were going to need a new one, I hadn’t bothered to reassemble anything, just left it sitting there in the laundry room in pieces.

Well, if you’ve ever worked on a washer, you know they don’t go back together quite as easily as they come apart. Four hours. That’s how long it took to get it ready to use. All in all, I’d spent somewhere around six hours taking it apart and then putting it back together. Had I checked the switch first, I could have saved myself a LOT of time! Good thing I was on vacation!

All is well that ends well, as the saying goes. The washer works. The laundry is caught up. And, some of the stuff I wanted to work on, I got done. But not all. Probably because I spent too much time on a washer! And now, it’s back to work. Maybe on my next vacation, I can fix the dryer!

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel Books, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS. Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice President of Rave Reviews Book Club.

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SPOTLIGHT Author

Rochelle Carter
The 7-Step Guide to Authorpreneurship

Isn’t it about time someone invents a car that never needs an oil change? Hasn’t technology progressed that far yet? Apparently not, because this past weekend found me finally listening to the repeated demands of my wife’s vehicle to change the oil. I remember when a guy actually had to keep track of that himself. Now, our cars tell us when it’s time.

Reluctantly, I set out to do the vehicle’s bidding. I got out the pan to catch the used oil, pulled the plug—and spilled a little, as usual—changed the filter and refilled the oil. Yes, I did put the plug back in place for anyone who may be wondering. Then, I cleaned up the mess.

This all took me just over 25 minutes. What happened? I used to be able to change the oil in under ten minutes! I’m sure it has nothing at all to do with my ever-growing age. Must be the cold weather. Winter. Because, despite what the calendar says, winter has definitely arrived. Old Man Winter is sort of an odd fellow, seems to do pretty much as he pleases and is not all that subservient to the calendar.

Okay, changing the oil isn’t a hard job, and usually not a problem—except when it occurs this time of year. Then, it’s not so great. Awful, actually. I’m thinking of instituting a new rule: the No Excessive Driving Rule, which shall remain in effect for the duration of the winter months. That way, I won’t be laying out in the driveway, freezing to death, just to change the oil. No, I haven’t unveiled my plans to my wife yet. But, I’m sure she’ll understand why she is no longer allowed to go anywhere.

Oh, wait! Just remembered my pickup will be due for an oil change in a week or so. Never mind. The rule is suspended. Instead, maybe I’ll go a different route; seize the moment and work on my inventing skills. I could start with an engine that never needs an oil change!

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel Books, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice President of Rave Reviews Book Club http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com

SPOTLIGHT Author

G.A. Whitmore
A Place To Call Home: Toby’s Tale

Usually, being caught in the middle of something is not a good thing. Stuck in the crossfire of two opposing sides, and feeling loyalty to both can be maddening. It often means being in the crosshairs of both sides, and can stem from family, friends, or be politically or job related. Usually.

In my case, at least as it relates to this blog post, being caught in the middle holds no negative association. There’s no crossfire or vying for loyalty, and I certainly don’t feel like I’m in anyone’s crosshairs. In fact, I find it sort of inspiring. I suppose I should explain.

This past Thursday, my wife and I were privileged to have a lot of family join us for Thanksgiving. We had all of our kids home (and the grandchildren), my brother and his family were here, as well as one of my aunts and my parents.

Now, I’ve notice this before, but for some reason I was struck by how much our kids reminded me of myself when I was younger. They have many of the same actions, the same habits, the same speech patterns, and a lot of the same looks. (My poor kids, I know).

And my grandkids, they just don’t have a chance. They seem to take after everyone in the family; parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles—I know, that’s kind of the norm among families. But it is amazing to see when everyone is together.

And now for the scary part; it also works in the reverse. I see myself and my brother doing things and saying things just like our parents. What’s more, we even look a lot like them. (Not too shocking, I realize). I’m also told I look and act a lot like my Grandpa—a guy I never really got to know that well. Could it be we are related?

The gist of what I’m trying to say here is, as much as life seems to change from generation to generation, it really stays the same. Time keeps going forward, yet, looking ahead or looking back doesn’t seem to make a lot of difference. It’s merely a different perspective; a different point of view in the landscape of life. I feel lucky because, for the moment at least, I seem to be caught right in the middle.

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel Books, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice President of Rave Reviews Book Club http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com 

SPOTLIGHT Author

 G. A. Whitmore
A Place To Call Home: Toby's Tale