Is it just me or is this year zooming by? July? Already July???? Geez, only six more months of shopping until Christmas. It seems this year barely got started and we are past the halfway point. On January 1, 2008, did anyone really believe Senator Obama would be the Democratic nominee for President? Did anyone on January 1, 2008 think they would be paying $4+ a gallon for gas? Did anyone think food prices would start skyrocketing along with gas prices? Unbelievable.

I am anxiously awaiting word from the Veteran’s Administration on whether I qualify for the VA pension I applied for about a month ago. I had no idea I could possibly be eligible because I do not have a military service connected disability. But, because I do have a disability, I am eligible for a pension for Veterans with non-service connected disbility. If I had not stumbled onto the Matthew Lesko web site, I still wouldn’t know I was eligible for this money. It was just sheer dumb luck on my part. It could mean an extra $1K a month for me. I think I can find a use for it.

I’m still bummed out about getting that speeding ticket last Friday. It was on a road that separates two neighborhoods in the west part of town. Amazingly, the speed limit is 25MPH. For as long as I can remember, no one has ever paid it any attention. Now all of a sudden, law enforcement is setting up speed traps on this road. I intend to avoid this area at all cost from now on, if possible. That $125.00 fine stings like hell. But, I’m still awaiting word from my insurance agent as to whether this will make my insurance rate go up. My first ticket in 17 years. I’ve only had three in my entire life. Two of the three were due to speed traps.

Well, it’s politics as usual with the “straight talker” and the “agent of change” in the race for the presidency this year. Both Obama and McCain are slinging barbs at each other at an amazing rate. McCain is using the old flip-flopper label on Obama. Obama is bringing up McCain’s idiotic statement he didn’t know much about economics. Both candidates have major weaknesses. I’m sick of it already. Both Obama and McCain are talking out of both sides of their mouth. Obama saying he agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that the Wash. D.C. ban on handgun ownership was unconstitutional was laughable. He has always voted for gun control. McCain talks about enforcing the border in front of the conservative base he so desperately needs and says at an Hispanic conference “comprehensive immigration reform” (code words for amnesty) is right at the forefront with border enforcement. Both of them are despicable.

Finally, I still feel good about a good deed that took place on a Saturday, two weeks ago. My nephew and I went to a restaurant to eat breakfast. On the way out, he spotted a wallet laying on the outside foyer, next to the exit. My nephew picked it up and found over $500.00 in cash in the wallet, five credit cards, driver’s license, etc. Someone was in near hysterics about losing it, I’m sure. My nephew is unemployed right now. He could have used that money. But, that isn’t the way he was brought up. So, we both turned around, asked for the manager and my nephew told him what he had found. He thanked us and he said he would look for the address on the driver’s license and give the owner a call if he doesn’t come back to the restaurant. Late that Saturday afternoon, of two weeks ago, my nephew got a call from the owner of the wallet (my nephew left his name and number with the restaurant manager) thanking him profusely for finding his wallet. He also offered to give my nephew $200.00, which he declined to take.

Yesterday afternoon, my nephew, the unemployed school teacher, was offered a teaching position at his high school alma mater. That’s where he has always wanted to teach. It’s a dream come true for him. He is now no longer unemployed.

I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again. ~William Penn