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In our house, there is usually some kind of music playing from the time we get up. That usually continues until late afternoon when our TV viewing time rolls around.  We have Alexa and recently we’ve begun to ask it to play whatever music that days choice may be.  Before that, we’d play music from one of the 30 or 40 channels on our TV that play music.

Rock, Pop, Country, Christian, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, you name it we have a channel for it.  We generally alternate between the TV stations, Alexa and our CD player which holds 50 CD’s.  Course we haven’t purchased a new CD in quite a few years, but we have some pretty good music that we purchased back in the day.  Suffice it to say, we have a pretty good variety of music to choose from.  

This poem is the result of a night on the patio, listening to tunes on my stereo and enjoying a glass of wine. (or, perhaps several glasses)

HE’S A FAN
©By: R.L.King – From the book Memories & Time ©2017

He’s a fan of country music, he’s a fan of Rock-n-roll,
…. he’s a fan of island sounds, as well Blues, and Southern Soul.

Music takes him all the places his mind allows him to go,
yet wherever that might be, is rarely under his control.

Oh, he’s in charge of the remote, what he hears is his decision,
but whatever enchanted mood he’s in, has total control of his vision.

Music lights his pathway, it helps to make him whole,
it brings him to the edge, as it soothes his troubled soul.

*********

Gramps use’ta say
©R.L.King2012 #282

About: Friendship

“Giving generously of yourself
usually offers the best
return on your investment.”

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EDITOR’S NOTE:  Please check us out at:

http://www.amazon.com/author/richard-lee-king/
Amazon.com: Donna Hale Chandler: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Kindle versions of most of our books are available at only 99 cents. You can purchase our entire CROW’S LAKE series in two 4-book groupings at only 99 cents each. That’s over 2000 pages of reading for only $1.98. What a bargain.

My wife passed away over 35 years ago and I was single for a long time.  During most of those years, I wasn’t really looking to get attached to anyone, but sometimes I’d get to thinking that this gal or that gal, just might be the one.   This is a poem I wrote years ago about just such an occasion.

ON THE PROWL
©By: R.L.King From the book Memories & Time ©2017

He’s a master of the cue stick, loves the game of pool,
but sometimes he’ll drink too much and occasionally act a fool.

First, he’s hot, then he’s cold or somewhere in between.
Can’t miss a shot, can’t make a shot, if ya know what I mean.

She walks in, the lights are low, he’s been there, in his dreams.
She turns him on, then turns him down, then she leaves the scene.

Dead-end streets & U-turns, his love life to a tee,
on his one-way path to Hell, where all his friends will be.

********

Gramps use’ta say
©R.L.King2012 #536

About: Optimism
“Helpless and hopeless,
but harmless.”

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EDITOR’S NOTE:  Please check us out at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/richard-lee-king/ OR
Amazon.com: Donna Hale Chandler: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Kindle versions of most of our books are available at only 99 cents.

This is an article that I wrote a number of years ago, but over the last year or so, it’s become even more pertinent.  Prices of everything seem to have skyrocketed and it’s affecting everybody’s pocketbook.

LOUSY TIPPERS STAY HOME

Each fall in South Florida all the bars and restaurants begin to fill up as we are invaded by thousands of “Snowbirds.”   I’m not complaining, that’s a good thing, since our economy relies heavily upon the tourist trade.  Unfortunately, many people seem to think that leaving a decent tip is beneath them.   I’m not privy to their logic, but it seems as though they think, “I’m only going to be here for a few months, let the locals do the tipping.”  Or, perhaps they figure there are so many restaurants, for the short time that I’ll be here, “I’ll probably only eat in this one a couple times and likely I’ll have a different waitress, no need to leave a decent tip, she’ll never see me again.” 

Whatever the logic, it’s obvious that many people are lousy tippers and “snowbirds”  seem to lead the pack.  I’ve never worked in the service industry, so I’m speaking only from what I’ve witnessed, or have been told by waitress and bartending friends who do. It seems that many people are still living in the dark ages and believe that a 10% tip is respectable, when in fact in this day and age 15% to 20% is far more appropriate.  And for those of you who use a coupon, it’s proper to tip based upon the regular price, not the discounted price.

It seems that the slow economy has exaggerated this miserliness.  Many people seem to think that our wait staff are immune to the downturn, when in fact it is they who are most affected by it.  Perhaps they are unaware of the fact that here in Florida, nearly all waiters, waitresses and bartenders get paid well below the “normal” minimum wage and rely heavily upon tips to make a decent living.  No matter what the tipping customs are in the area you came from, here in paradise tipping less than 10% is insulting to your waiter.  If you received good service a proper tip should be closer to 20%.  

Folks, if you can still afford to winter in Paradise and go out to eat, you certainly should be able to afford to leave a decent tip.  Don’t insult our wait staff by leaving a lousy one.  

Let me be a little clearer on that. If you can’t afford to tip properly,,,, STAY HOME!!!  Save up until you can, or go to the fast-food places where a proper tip is not expected. Don’t take up the time or our hardworking waiters, waitresses and bartenders if you’re not willing to compensate them properly.  The time they waste taking care of non-tippers is time they could be spending on people more deserving of their attention.  Just because you’re traveling and won’t be eating here again, don’t be a jerk. Leave a proper tip.

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Gramps use’ta say
©R.L.King2012 #240

About: Gossip

“Jist cause ‘they’ say it,
I don’t reckon that makes it so.”