Wally World Is Dangerous For The Elderly...!

One of the most wonderful things about this time of year, is the fact that so many of the local scum and low-lifes leave their hidey-holes and come out!

Here is just one example of what I'm talking about!

Woman arrested after pushing 100-year-old Wal-Mart greeter

By Ryan Haggerty of the Journal Sentinel

Nov. 29, 2010

A 100-year-old woman who works as a greeter at a Milwaukee Wal-Mart said Monday she is bruised and sore but otherwise OK after a customer pushed her during a dispute Sunday.

In fact, Lois Speelman said she plans to return to work Thursday.

"I'm just stiff and sore," she said in a telephone interview from her Greenfield home. "I'll deal with that."

Speelman was working at the Wal-Mart at 3355 S. 27th St. when a 37-year-old woman pushed her after apparently becoming upset that Speelman was trying to verify that the woman had paid for water bottles that were inside her shopping cart, Milwaukee police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said Monday.

The woman was arrested, and the Milwaukee County district attorney's office is reviewing the case, Schwartz said.

Speelman said she didn't want to discuss details of Sunday's incident until the investigation is complete, but she said she was simply doing her job by making sure the customer had paid for her items when she was attacked.

"That's our job," Speelman said. "That's what we're up there in front for, to watch people going and coming."

Speelman said she usually works with a partner, but her partner was performing another task when the incident occurred.

Speelman said she hit her head and was taken by ambulance to Wheaton Franciscan-St. Francis Hospital, where she underwent a CT scan and was released.

A Wal-Mart spokeswoman said in a voice mail that the customer's actions were "appalling" but did not return a call seeking more information about the incident.

Speelman celebrated her 100th birthday at the store in August. She has been widowed twice and started her job as a greeter at the store when she was 90. She retired at age 95 but returned two years later, after her only living son died.

Speelman said she works five days a week. A spokeswoman for the store said at the time of her birthday that her co-workers are like family.

Speelman said Monday that her employers treat her well but that she works because she needs the money. She also said she's had previous run-ins with customers.

"You get a lot of customers who are not out to hurt you, but they always give you a bad time," she said.

You know, this story has a couple of very sad side stories with it! Here is a lady that only works because, at 100, she needs the money! While just trying to earn a few extra bucks, she is ill-treated by some female gorilla that probably has no business running around loose without a keeper!

I'm just wondering if this person is maybe a representative of a government agency...say the TSA, or the FDA, or the HSA, or some other group of power hungry, muscle flexing, old lady shoving, Wally-World shopping bozos. Who knows?

I say we should get some fresh coffee and sit in the kitchen. I really don't feel like dealing with these a**holes today, ya know?

Gotta Love This Toy...!

With Christmas coming up, you may know someone that would like one of these sets!

Heck, I'd like one of these myself! Never had one before, I'm sorry to say! Did you ever wonder about the folks that invent a toy like the erector sets? Pretty smart people, if you ask me!

I looked up the man that came up with the Erector Set as we know it, and thought you might like to know a little about him. Interesting to say the least!

Born in Salem, Oregon in 1884. A. C. Gilbert (1884-1962), boyhood love was magic tricks: he became so proficient that he once matched a traveling professional magician trick for trick, and earned the prescient praise, Gilbert was also a brilliant student, and soon went on to Yale Medical School. He helped pay his tuition by performing as a magician, and founded a company, Mysto Manufacturing, which sold magic kits for kids. In 1909, Gilbert finished medical school, but decided to expand his budding toy business rather than practice as a doctor.

Like many residents of New Haven, Connecticut, he often took the train to New York City; and on one trip in 1911 he was inspired with what would be the most popular of his dozens of inventions. Watching out the train window as some workmen positioned and riveted the steel beams of an electrical power-line tower, Gilbert decided to create a children's construction kit: not just a toy, but an assemblage of metal beams with evenly spaced holes for bolts to pass through, screws, bolts, pulleys, gears and eventually even engines.

A British toy company called Meccano Company was then selling a similar kit, but Gilbert's Erector set was more realistic and had a number of technical advantages --- most notably, steel beams that were not flat but bent lengthwise at a 90-degree angle, so that four of them nested side-to-side formed a very sturdy, square, hollow support beam.

Gilbert began selling the "Mysto Erector Structural Steel Builder" in 1913, backed by the first major American ad campaign for a toy. The Erector set quickly became one of the most popular toys of all time: living rooms across the country were transformed into miniature metropoles, filled with skyscrapers, bridges and railways.

Those kids who already owned a set would beg Santa annually for an upgrade, aiming for the elusive "No. 12 1/2" deluxe kit that came with blueprints for the "Mysterious Walking Giant" robot. It is difficult for anyone under the age of 35 today to appreciate just how popular the Erector set was for over half a century.

A. C. Gilbert was one of the most multi-talented inventors of all time. With many fields open to his ingenuity, he chose to educate and entertain children through toys.

You know, you have to admire people that choose to make children happy as their life's work! What a satisfying career that would be! I mean, what can match the joy on the faces of children on Christmas morning? Very few things in this world, I'm thinking!

Now, my friends, let's have some fresh coffee in the kitchen. A little chilly outside this morning!

Glad He's Not My Friend...!

Did you ever get the feeling of being uncomfortable around some of your friends?

Well, if any of them are not any smarter than this guy that's probably a good thing! I would be the very first to admit that sometimes certain members of my family don't act like rocket scientist and that some of my friends seem lacking in the total marble count!

However, some of these traits are part of what adds to their personality and makes them who they are! I would not deem any of them as dangerous, certainly not dangerous in the same vein as this guy!

Also, I would like to think that most people I know would have a lot more common sense than this! I would hope that nearly all folks would be smarter than this, but as this story shows...that isn't the case!

Police: Vermont man killed in gun prank

By the CNN Wire Staff
November 26, 2010 5:09 p.m. EST

(CNN) -- A 24-year-old Vermont man was fatally shot by a friend who used a gun in a prank, police said.

The alleged shooter apparently tried to prank his sleeping friend by waking him up with the loud sound of an air rifle, police said.

However, police said, the man mistakenly used a real rifle in the prank.

Nicholas Bell, 23, was charged with manslaughter after the incident Thursday, Manchester police said.

"The accused fired the weapon, which was a loaded .22 cal rifle hitting the [victim] in the chest," a police statement said. "The victim died at the scene."

The victim was identified as 24-year-old Jeffrey Charbonneau.

Both men were guests at the Manchester home where the shooting occurred, police said.

Bell was jailed and bail was set at $250,000.

My real concern is that man says that he couldn't tell the difference between a real gun and a BB or pellet gun. If you had no idea of what the difference was, then why in the world would you even THINK of going through with a prank like this?

You know, I want to try and be understanding about this whole thing, but try as I may...I can find no excuse for this type of stupid behavior! Know why? Because there isn't any! None at all!

You know what, my friends? After this story, I'm going to need another fresh cup of coffee! Want to join me?

I Think That This Is Me...!

Somewhere, lost in this wonderful, artistic work of words, is an apt description of me!

In fact, it probably describes a lot of us better than we might want to admit! No one could put it into words any better than old George himself!

Once in a great while, their comes along someone that can be called a genuine "Wordsmith" and this gentleman was certainly one of them...probably one of the best!

He had a way of putting things into words that we could understand, and of taking serious issues into the light of true discussion, while seeing the humor in those same issues! It's a shame there will not be another George for a very long time...if ever!



You can't help but admire this man, if only for his memory! I can only see him as a modern version of Mark Twain! To make others laugh at themselves, talk about real problems while seeing how foolish it is to get angry at the discussion, and to show what an enormous effect just one man can have on the world as a whole!

One person can make a difference, by the very starting of a dialogue! We just need to try it more often!

Now, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee and sit in the kitchen for a bit! Maybe we could share a grin or two, ya think?

Oh Yeah ! Let's Keep It In The Family...!

Just when you think that most of the jerks are taking a day off, something like this pops up and makes you realize that mental illness actually runs in the family!

I'm really getting fed up with these bozos being allowed to run around free, spreading terror and mayhem each and every place they show up!

Nice example this father is being to his son, huh? While some fathers teach their sons to throw a ball, hunt, or maybe work on cars...this guy is teaching his son to beat up a senior citizen!

Of course, the way our courts are now days, they both will be allowed out after a slap on the wrist! I'm thinking that 2 broken knee caps and a little castration would be more in order!

Dad, 12-year-old son beat up 84-year-old man in Delray Target parking lot

November 26, 2010 10:45 AM
By SCOTT T. SMITH / WPEC-CBS12.com

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. -- Police arrested a 53-year-old Delray Beach man and his 12-year-old son on felony charges Thursday after an 84-year-old man was punched, thrown to the ground and kicked in the groin in a Target parking lot confrontation caught on surveillance video.

Delray Beach police say the victim, Lawrence Blank, of Delray Beach, was loading items into the rear of his car Sunday when a silver Corvette with the tag QUIK SL started backing out on the opposite side of the parking aisle. The Corvette nearly struck Blank and his car, prompting a bystander to yell "Watch out," according to a probable cause statement filed by police.

Police say Blank asked the man why he almost hit him, after which the driver later identified as Barry Arthur Hochstadt, replied with "---- you!" Blank asked Hochstadt to move his car so he could leave, and Hochstadt reportedly replied with "Make me!"

Blank told police he walked toward the Corvette and pointed at Hochstadt saying "Move your damn vehicle!" and got the same response from Hochstadt. At this point police say the passenger, later identified as Hochstadt's 12-year-old, 92-pound, 5'2" son exited the Corvette wearing a Ravens jersey and threatened to "beat the ----" out of Blank if he said anything more to his father.

Blank told the boy to get back in the car, and Blank says the boy responded by shoving him into his car and onto the ground, standing over him and punching him repeatedly in the jaw. Hochstadt exited the Corvette and kicked Blank in the groin, Blank told police. At that point, the store's loss prevention officer arrived and helped Blank get up while Hochstadt and his son returned to the Corvette and left the scene.

Police said Blank had injuries to his shoulder, arm and hand and complained of back pain. He also had a large bruise on his inner thigh. In a later interview with police he said he was having difficulty moving his hands, which were black and blue.

Police tracked Hochstadt down first by tracing the credit card he used to pay for his Target purchase. When police arrived at his apartment on Northeast Fifth Avenue, they found a silver Corvette, but with different tags than the Target security guard had seen. The tags on the Corvette were registered to Hochstadt's fiancee, police said. While investigating the Corvette they saw a juvenile wearing a Ravens jersey waving what they later found was a toy gun.

Police spoke with the boy and his father on Thanksgiving Day, spotting the QUIK SL tag inside Hochstadt's apartment, and both described Blank as the aggressor. The boy said he lost his temper because Blank reached inside the Corvette and touched his father; he said only fought the man after Blank grabbed him by the throat and threatened to slap him.

Hochstadt, a New York native and salesman for an Atlanta business described by police as 5'6" and 240 pounds with a Corvette tattoo on his right shoulder, told police his only involvement was to diffuse the situation and that he never hit Blank. He said he didn't report the incident because he thought the man was uninjured and the confrontation was not important. When asked about the Corvette tags, Hochstadt said he switched them only because the QUIK SL tag was expired, not because he was hiding anything. Police determined the tag was valid through 2011 but not assigned to a vehicle.

Based on the statements of all three and the Target employee who witnessed the confrontation, plus the surveillance video, the father and son were arrested Thursday. Hochstadt remains lodged in Palm Beach County jail on felony charges of battery on a person older than 65, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and property damage for dents and scratches to Blank's 2011 Chevy Equinox.

His son, a student at a charter school in Anaheim, Calif., was arrested on felony charge of battery on a person older than 65 and criminal mischief and lodged in juvenile hall.

You can't help folks like this! They are beyond help and certainly not worthy of any special consideration as far as punishment is concerned! I think I have the perfect answer in this case!

I could get some of the members of the OFC (Old Fart's Club) and the SJL (Seniors Justice League) and we could pay this gentleman and his son a very special visit!

We might just be effective where the courts have failed! Couldn't hurt to try!

Now, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee and sit in the kitchen for a bit! We can discuss some appropriate punishment for trash like this!

You Go, Granny...!

I hope that everyone had a great holiday yesterday with lots of food, family and maybe a nap thrown in for good measure!

All was pretty quiet at my Mother's house, with only Mom and myself there to eat all that food! There were supposed to be others there, but in usual fashion...they didn't show, even after saying they would! But that's OK...just more dessert for me!

Baby Sis and her husband were in the big parade in downtown Houston! They do this every year and at least this year, they had some decent weather for it! Heck, they even got to be close to Santa! I hope that she put in a good word for me with the Big Guy! I need all the help I can get!

I found the following story and thought it was pretty cool! I wanted to share it with you, because it shows just how even the most tangled screw-ups can be worked out,when folks like this granny's family get it in their head to force the issue!

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Gladys Malarkey is back from the dead - just in time to celebrate her 105th birthday.

The centenarian, who also goes by Toots, was declared dead by Social Security earlier this month.

"They thought I was dead," Toots said, slapping her knee at such nonsense.

Her granddaughter, Bev Ridge, 64, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., explained that several weeks ago she received notice that Toots' bank account was overdrawn.

"My first thought, was Oh no, it's probably fraud,' " Ridge said.

But then she learned Social Security didn't send Malarkey's monthly check. The agency somehow determined Malarkey was no longer living and canceled her $1,100 payments, which cover her expenses at her assisted-living residence.

"When I first called about it, they wouldn't talk to me because I wasn't a payee," Ridge said. "I'm pretty sure they thought I was trying to steal her checks or something."

A payee is a representative appointed to receive benefits for someone who is unable to direct his or her money.

Ridge said a Social Security employee went to the home of Ridge's deceased mother, who shared Malarkey's last name, and was told by neighbors that the woman had been dead for years - not realizing they were talking about a different person.

Ridge offered to bring her grandmother to the Fort Myers Social Security office as proof. Instead, Social Security sent a representative to her.

Patti Patterson, spokeswoman for the Social Security office in Atlanta, said such mistakes are rare. She said the agency receives death notices from family members, hospitals and funeral homes, and they're usually verified with a death certificate.

"As soon as we become aware of a situation where our records are incorrect, we immediately take action," Patterson said. "I know this was really upsetting to the family, and we're working with them to take care of any concerns."

Malarkey, for her part, seems to have few concerns. Despite failing eyesight and hearing, she spends her days joking with friends, taking shopping excursions and listening to "little records," as she calls CDs. She hums to her favorite song, "Somewhere My Love," surrounded by her great-great-grandchildren's drawings - mostly sea horses, which she loves because "they're so rare."

When she was born in a small coal-mining town in southwestern Pennsylvania, the American flag had just 45 stars, only 8 percent of homes had a phone and the average life expectancy was 47 - which Toots has surpassed by 58 years.

On her birthday Tuesday, she looked forward to savoring chocolate cake, listening to live piano music, donning a new gown, dancing the two-step and being surrounded by friends. It's all part of her secret to longevity:

"Live with love in your heart and a smile on your face."

Now, I want to tell you that this old gal certainly has a positive attitude about life! Karma has a way of watching out for people like this! Positive attitudes attract positive results! My hat's off to this lady and her 64 year old grand daughter who made sure that granny was taken care of in time for her birthday!

You know, there's an old saying that "what goes around, comes around" and I believe it for sure! So let me just say this! If you say you're going to do a thing, then do it! Show respect for your family, especially the older folks!

Practice the Golden Rule! Remember that one? Basically, it says that you should treat others as you want to be treated! Want folks to remember you when you are older? Want folks to show you respect? Want to put a smile on the face of an older family member? Then you know what to do...and you know what I'm talking about!

Hey, sorry to get off on a tangent this morning! How about we get some fresh coffee and sit in the kitchen for a bit? A little chilly outside this morning, ya know?

If you want, I can even get you a piece of pie! How about pumpkin? Cool whip on that?

How About Some Turkey Trivia...?

Since today is officially "Turkey Day" or Thanksgiving, I thought some good old fashioned trivia would certainly be called for!

After all, it would be nice to know a little bit about the (in most cases) guest of honor! Just think, you can spout this stuff off and amaze the grand kids with how smart you are!

Either that, or the whole bunch will reckon that gramps (or granny) has finally lost it and needs a keeper! No matter which one, a little fun is called for!

Of course, you know I got this fun stuff from the pages of the Almanac, right?

Turkey Trivia

Here is some fun trivia about turkeys, the all-American bird.

* There are several theories about how turkeys got their name. One story claims the Christopher Columbus heard some birds say "tuka, tuka", and his interpreter came up with the name tukki, which means "big bird" in hebrew.

* Because the wild turkey is quick to defend itself and fight against all predators, Ben Franklin wanted it as the symbol of the United States. Comparing it to the eagle, he called the turkey "a more respectable bird, a true original native of America."

* The average person in the United States will eat 15 pounds of turkey this year.

* The wild turkey is one of the more difficult birds to hunt. It won't be flushed out of the brush with a dog. Instead, hunters must try to attract it with different calls. Even with two seasons a year, only one in six hunters will get a wild turkey.

* By the 1930s, almost all of the wild turkeys in the U.S. had been hunted. Today, thanks to conservation programs, there are plenty of wild turkeys—they even invade cities!

* A male turkey is called a tom, a female is a hen, and a youngster is a poult.

* The domestic tom can weigh up to 50 pounds, the domestic hen up to 16 pounds. The wild tom can weigh up to 20 pounds, the wild hen up to 12 pounds.

* The domestic turkey can't fly. The wild turkey can, for short distances, but it prefers to walk or run.

* The average life span of a domestic turkey, from birth to freezer, is 26 weeks. During this period of time, it will eat about 75 pounds of turkey feed. The average life span of a wild turkey is three or four years. It generally feeds on seeds, nuts, insects, and berries.

* The wobbly little thing on the turkey’s chest is the turkey's beard and is made up of keratin bristles. Keratin is the same substance that forms hair and horns on other animals.

* Only male turkeys, or toms, can gobble, and they mostly do it in the spring and fall. It is a mating call and attracts the hens. Wild turkeys gobble at loud sounds and when they settle in for the night.

Well, there ya go! Probably more information than you ever wanted to know about the turkey! Just think! If ol' Ben Franklin would have had his way, the Tom Turkey would have been the symbol of the United States!

That's a pretty scary thought, isn't it?

Got time for a cup of fresh coffee on the patio? I certainly hope so, my friends!

Have a great Thanksgiving!