Welcome to our giveaway society. I won’t try to explain it because I’m too old to understand the concept. There was an old canard that said, “Money used to talk, then it whispered, now it just sneaks away.” I think the last part needs to be changed to “now it’s just given away.” As far as the politics – leave me out of it. I call them Democans and Republicrats. It all depends on how they get aligned — but I do have a persuasion, which for the purpose of this column will remain in my mind for now.

This poem, however, goes into my background a little and how confused I’ve gotten about what is expected of us in this modern era. I used to know, but I’m not so certain today.

“Everybody Wants More”

My childhood was a modest one and oft the rains did pour.

We had so few embellishments, we’d often pray for more,

But as I looked around me, most others were the same.

Their work was hard, and pay was short — but they stayed in the game.

The jobs I worked those early years were rough with little pay,

But dad had always told me — pay your dues to claim your day.

When I returned from college, they laid my dad to rest,

So, I abandoned all our plans and stayed to meet the test.

I, then, embarked on my career — to teach what I had learned,

But though I labored earnestly, no fortune would be earned.

For as I looked around me, they were changing all the rules.

The culture that had nourished me was now reserved for fools.

Everybody wanted more — they cheated, lied and stole.

Advancement often wasn’t earned but bartered for your soul.

But I could not abandon then the path I knew was right,

And though I stayed the proper course, they kept the purse strings tight.

They often paid me with awards — my name upon those plaques,

And though my back was patted, promotions went to flacks.

I don’t regret the path I took; the one my dad designed.

He could not know so long ago our culture’d be maligned.

How could he know when I was young that what we now would see:

If working hard would be passe’ and we would get things free.

Instead of reaching out our hands to ply our given trade

Half of us would stand in line with hands out to be paid.

I do not blame my father for teaching me his way.

He only knew the culture that was forged back in his day.

The blame falls solely on the backs of those who trade for power.

Their thirst and everlasting greed have brought us to this hour.

If we now fail to right the course and get our values straight

Instead of rushing to get in – we’ll be streaming out that gate. JDF

Joke: The man came home from playing golf one day and saw a note from his wife on the refrigerator. It said, “It’s not working, and I can’t stand it anymore. I’m going to stay at my mother’s.” So, he opened the refrigerator door, and the light came right on. Then he took out a beer and it was cold. This stumped him, so, he stopped and thought, “What the devil is she talking about?”

Historical tidbits:

In 2007, the FDA approved a weight control drug, Sentrol, for dogs

The very first nose job was performed in the Third Century by the Egyptian physician, Amynthas. (If he was a few centuries earlier, he could have done one on Cleopatra. What a honker! She was no Liz Taylor).

In 1139, the Vatican outlawed the use of crossbows — unless they were used against infidels.

In ancient Rome, kisses were used to seal contracts.

Mae West was almost 40 when she started her film career.

Last but not least — the word dord appeared in the dictionary for five years before someone figured out there is no such word. See ya next week. JDF